Pundit Says Lamar Jackson’s Ranking by NFL Insiders Is ‘Nothing But Jealousy and Hate’
Sharp Football Analysis’ Warren Sharp did not mince words when calling out NFL insiders who disrespected Lamar Jackson in ESPN’s quarterback rankings.
As noted in Monday’s Late for Work, Jackson was ranked No. 4 in the survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, and at least one voter had him as low as No. 6. Jackson came in behind the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes (No. 1), Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen (No. 2), and Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow (No. 3).
Sharp said anyone inside the NFL who doesn’t think Jackson is a top five quarterback is “either completely insane or pathetically hating.”
Sharp noted that ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported in August 2021 that “a lot of people around the league say this might be the year that everybody figures out Lamar.” Sharp said, “It’s nothing but jealousy and hate at this point” as to why some insiders still refuse to give Jackson his due despite all he has accomplished since then.
“Statistically, last year Lamar Jackson ranked as the No. 1 most efficient quarterback in the NFL, both by EPA and yards per attempt,” Sharp said. “He threw 41 passing touchdowns to only four interceptions. In doing so, he became the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for 40-plus touchdowns with less than five interceptions in a season. Keep in mind none of these stats have anything to do with rushing, and he’s an absolute legend on the ground with his rushing talent.
“Four years ago, these same people were happily predicting that Lamar would get figured out, and he spent the last four years statistically destroying the NFL while doing what not one quarterback in the entire history of the NFL has ever done passing the football.”