FOX NFL ANALYST SENDS SCATHING MESSAGE ABOUT RAVENS' LAMAR JACKSON EXPECTATIONS IN 2024
Lamar Jackson is under pressure in 2024, according to Fox NFL analyst Mark Schlereth.
On the "Stinkin' Truth" podcast, Schlereth, a former NFL offensive lineman, defended his recent comments that Jackson is under tremendous pressure in 2024. Schlereth said that Jackson, as a two-time MVP, has to prove he can win in the playoffs.
"If you're a two-time MVP and you piss down your legs in the playoffs, then I would say you've got some pressure," Schlereth said. "You're good enough to be an MVP during the regular season, and in the playoffs, you're 2-4 as a playoff quarterback. You're completing 57% of your passes as a playoff quarterback. You've got six touchdowns that you've thrown and six interceptions. You wanna talk about the definition of mediocrity, when it comes to playoff football, Lamar Jackson is mediocre come playoff time."
Schlereth then lambasted the narrative that the Baltimore Ravens haven't given Jackson enough offensive weapons.
"I don't wanna hear from all of you out there that are telling me that Lamar Jackson, 'Well they don't get him weapons.' How many first-round wide receivers do you need to draft?
"'Well they're not drafting the right one!'" Schlereth said in a mocking voice.
"Well, you're not developing them. Well, how do you develop them? Well, your quarterback has a long way to go in developing wide receivers. So I don't want to hear that bulls--- from you anymore, any of you Baltimore fans, I'm tired of it. They've drafted first round on talent, they've drafted tight ends in the first round, they've drafted three different wide receivers since 2018 in the first round."
Schlereth is not wrong on the draft front: since 2018, the Ravens have used first-round picks on tight end Hayden Hurst, wide receiver Marquise Brown, wide receiver Rashod Bateman, and wide receiver Zay Flowers.
Brown had success in Baltimore, even posting a 1,000-yard season in 2021. However, he was traded to the Cardinals in a deal that eventually netted Baltimore All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum (hard to argue with that one).
Flowers had an impressive rookie campaign as Jackson's go-to receiver. Bateman is yet to break out with Baltimore, however, and is under pressure to perform in 2024. Hurst played just two seasons with the Ravens, catching 43 passes for 512 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Schlereth contrasted the situation to Aaron Rodgers' tenure with the Green Bay Packers, who did not draft a first-round wide receiver during any of Rodgers' years with the team.
Schlereth then said that he has heard from defensive coordinators who still say the key to beating Jackson is to make him play from the pocket. Schlereth called Jackson's pocket passing the "weakest" part of his game.
The Ravens seem to be trying to help Jackson elevate his passing game by giving him more responsibility in the offense. And with the addition of Derrick Henry, Jackson has a running threat unlike any that he's had with Baltimore.
Still, Schlereth is seemingly contributing to a growing chorus that Jackson's next step is to lead the Ravens on a deep playoff run.
Watch a clip of Schlereth's comments below: