As the Baltimore Ravens prepped for their Week 14 clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hall of Fame quarterback and current analyst Steve Young raised eyebrows with a pointed observation: Lamar Jackson, he said, looked “diminished physically” this season. It wasn’t just a hot take-it echoed a growing sentiment among league insiders who’ve been watching Jackson closely since early November.
And after Baltimore’s 27-22 loss to Pittsburgh-a game that dropped the Ravens to 6-7 and gave the Steelers a leg up in the AFC North-those concerns are getting louder.
Executives See a Different Lamar
“He just doesn’t look the same,” one NFL executive told The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. That’s not just about aesthetics.
Jackson, who missed three games earlier in the fall with a right hamstring injury, returned in Week 9 to lead a dominant 28-6 win over the Dolphins. At that point, Baltimore was 3-5 and showing signs of life.
But since then, Jackson’s play hasn’t resembled the dual-threat dynamo who owns two MVP trophies.
The numbers tell part of the story. Over his last five games, Jackson has completed just 55.6% of his 144 pass attempts for 987 yards.
He’s thrown only two touchdowns against four interceptions and has taken 12 sacks. Ball security has also been an issue-he’s fumbled four times and lost two.
On the ground, Jackson has rushed 33 times for 127 yards, a 3.8-yard average that’s well below his career clip of 6.0.
“He’s just not as explosive as in the past,” another executive noted. And that’s a problem for a Ravens offense that has long relied on Jackson’s ability to break games open with his legs and extend plays with his instincts.
Physical Issues Mounting
Since that win over Miami on October 30, Jackson has been on and off the injury report with knee, ankle, and toe issues. While none have been season-ending, the accumulation may be taking a toll. He’s still suiting up, but he doesn’t look like the same player who once left defenders grasping at air.
And it’s not just front-office personnel noticing the difference. One NFL coach pointed to Jackson’s timing as being off-something that’s especially noticeable in the passing game, where rhythm and anticipation are everything.
“He looks off with his timing,” the coach said. That’s not just about mechanics-it speaks to a quarterback who may be compensating for physical limitations or simply pressing to make plays.
A Bit of Bad Luck, Too
To be fair, not everything has gone against Jackson because of his own doing. In the loss to Pittsburgh, a late touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely was wiped out after a controversial replay review.
That score would’ve given the Ravens a late lead and potentially changed the entire complexion of the AFC North. Instead, the Steelers held on, improved to 7-6, and now sit atop the division.
Looking Ahead
The road doesn’t get easier for Baltimore, but this week offers a chance to regroup. The Ravens head to Cincinnati to face a struggling Bengals team sitting at 4-9.
As of Tuesday morning, Baltimore was a 2.5-point favorite on the road, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. It’s a winnable game-and one the Ravens need if they’re going to keep pace in a tightly contested AFC playoff race.
For Jackson, it’s more than just another game-it’s an opportunity to quiet the noise, reassert his command of the offense, and remind everyone why he’s still one of the most dangerous weapons in football when healthy.
Meanwhile, the Steelers will host the 6-7 Dolphins in a prime-time showdown on December 15-a matchup with major playoff implications.
The Ravens’ season is far from over, but if they’re going to make a run, they’ll need Lamar Jackson to look more like the MVP and less like the version we’ve seen lately. Whether it’s health, rhythm, or confidence, something’s missing. And time is running out to get it back.