A cloud of tension hung over the Baltimore Ravens early in the 2023 season, as contract negotiations with Lamar Jackson remained unresolved. However, a mutually beneficial agreement was reached, clearing the way for Jackson to explode onto the field, exceeding even the most ambitious expectations of both the team and fans.
Meanwhile, having led the team until Week 17, the Ravens opted to rest their dual-threat quarterback and conclude the season with a new starter against the Pittsburgh Steelers during their upcoming clash in Week 18.
Tyler Huntley set to replace Lamar Jackson as starting QB
With their Super Bowl aspirations on the horizon, teams are exercising the utmost caution, and the Baltimore Ravens are no exception. In preparation for the NFL season finale against the Steelers, the Ravens have decided to sideline Lamar Jackson. Coach John Harbaugh announced that Tyler Huntley will step into the quarterback role for the upcoming game.
“The quarterback for this game will be Tyler. Beyond that, there’s not really much to talk about,” the head coach stated.
This marks Huntley’s first start of the season. While he has been Jackson’s backup until Week 17, the shift in roles now requires a backup for Huntley. Harbaugh revealed that Josh Johnson would serve as the backup, with Malik Cunningham as the team’s third quarterback. Interestingly, Cunningham might see action in various positions beyond quarterbacking.
“He’ll be up for the game. He will be active. He will be a quarterback in the rotation, and he’ll be our third quarterback. He’ll also be able to play some other positions for us.”
The signal caller, who missed the conclusion of the 2021 and 2022 seasons due to injuries, has been the starting quarterback for all 16 games this season. The decision to sideline him for the finale aims to protect the MVP candidate from any unfortunate injuries that could hinder the team’s postseason ambitions.
Lamar Jackson’s performances in NFL this season
Lamar Jackson’s spectacular season with the Ravens has not only secured the top seed in the AFC playoffs but has also positioned him as a front-runner for the NFL MVP title. With a record of 13-3, the Ravens clinched the AFC North title and a top spot in the playoffs.
Throughout the season, Jackson has delivered outstanding performances, amassing 3,678 passing yards while throwing 24 touchdowns with seven interceptions, completing an impressive 67.2% of his passes. In addition to his passing prowess, Jackson showcased his dual-threat abilities with 821 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 148 carries.
In the recent 56-19 victory against the Dolphins, the 26-year-old further strengthened his MVP candidacy by achieving a perfect passer rating for the third time in the season. This remarkable feat places him among the elite company, with only Ben Roethlisberger boasting a similar achievement in league history.
The season saw Jackson achieve career highs in various categories, including passing yards, completion rate, pass attempts, completions, and yards per attempt. Leading the NFL with 5.5 rushing yards per attempt, Jackson played a pivotal role in accounting for 29 of his team’s 52 offensive touchdowns. His impressive passer rating of 102.7 stands as the second-best of his career, following his MVP season in 2019.
His exceptional performance has made him the heavy favorite to win the NFL MVP award for the 2023–24 season, with DraftKings Sportsbook offering -20000 odds, which indicates a near certainty of him securing the prestigious honor, per Fox Sports.
Notable figures from various sports, including NFL legend Ed Reed and NBA icon LeBron James, have expressed their admiration for Jackson’s achievements. Ed Reed predicts that Jackson will lead the Ravens to a third Super Bowl victory, while LeBron James advocates for awarding Jackson the MVP trophy even before the season’s conclusion.
Do you think that Raven’s storied quarterback is the most worthy person to win the MVP of this season?
