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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during a January 4, 2026 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Former Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach Mike Smith effusively praised Lamar Jackson, from his talent to the legacy that he will leave whenever he retires. While speaking to podcast host Bobby Trosset on Super Bowl 60 Radio Row, Smith outlined his opinion on what Jackson’s impact on not only Baltimore but the game itself means.
“He’s changed the game. … 15 years from now, 20 years from now, 50 years from now … they’re gonna talk about how Lamar Jackson changed the quarterback position. … The historians are gonna be talking about how he was the game-changer. No doubt. Many have followed, but they haven’t done as well as Lamar has.”
Smith speaks from two places of knowledge. First, he served as the Ravens’ defensive line/linebackers coach from 1999 to 2002. He helped author a page in team history that involved coaching the statistically stingiest defense of all time, playing at least 16 games. In 2000, the Ravens surrendered just 10.3 points per game. As a defensive-minded coach, Smith understands that defending Jackson puts more pressure on a defense than vice versa.
From the spread to the RPO, versatility widens the field, disrupting what many defenses aim to accomplish. Traditionally, defenders prefer to box a passer in, forcing a throw, presumably limiting the play to a few seconds. On the contrary, quarterbacks like Jackson will keep plays alive. Under those circumstances, defensive backs need to cover long distances, which favors the offense.
If teams like the Ravens can consistently make these events happen, fatigue will set in. Short gains in the first half could ultimately turn into chunk yardage in the fourth. Those plays will drain the clock with first downs, forcing defenses to use timeouts that the offense normally uses.
GettyFormer Baltimore Ravens assistant Mike Smith during his tenure as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
Jackson’s QB Evolution Could Alter Football for Decades
Before Jackson’s arrival in Baltimore, many considered former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick the modern NFL quarterback. Although this may be true, Jackson’s deliberate attention to the passing game adds another concern for defenses. Looking at the comparison statistics tells the story. For example, in 2010, Vick enjoyed his best season from an accuracy standpoint, connecting on 62.6% of his passes.
Meanwhile, Jackson achieved that number in seven of his eight seasons. Similarly, Jackson used the accuracy to build out tangible numbers. Vick boasts two seasons where he eclipsed 3,000 yards (2010, 2011). In contrast, the Ravens signal caller boasts three with seven fewer starts over five fewer seasons.
GettyBaltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during a January 4, 2026 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Defensive Coaches Show Appreciation to Dual Threats
As a former defensive-minded assistant and head coach, Smith echoes the sentiments of many coaches on that side of the ball. A quarterback who can beat you with both his arms and his legs helps move the chains. The time-tested NFL axiom of an effective run game, which keeps your defense fresh, holds true.
Since Jackson’s arrival in 2018, no team in the league has accumulated more yards than the Ravens’ 22,519. When Jackson replaced Joe Flacco due to a hip injury, he never relinquished the job.
Yet, with the kudos from Smith, one overarching question may exist: Can the Ravens get over the metaphorical hump and win a Super Bowl with Jackson? In the playoffs, with Jackson at the helm, the Ravens own a 3-5 record, and the quarterback has a 10:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Time will tell if Jackson lives up to Smith’s vision of his legacy.
Terrance Biggs Terrance started at heavy.com in January 2026
He is a veteran sportswriter with 12 years of experience, covering NFL, College, and MLB. Terrance has held positions at Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Sports Network. A graduate of Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s in Communication, he is also a voting member of the Football Writers Association of America, United States Basketball Writers Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. More about Terrance Biggs
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