NFL Coach Says Lamar Jackson 'Can't Be Special' Without Running, 'Not Always Moving With Purpose'

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson moved down from Tier 1 to Tier 2 in the annual Quarterback Tiers article from The Athletic's Mike Sando, who polled 50 executives and coaches regarding their thoughts on 35 veteran quarterbacks.

One opposing coach was particularly pessimistic on Jackson.

"I'm not sure how much he wants to run and take hits anymore," the coach told Sando. "He can't be special without the threat of a run. I think he needs to be more active when he does run. It used to be he would go and outrun you. Now, he kind of goes, but he is not always moving with purpose."

Jackson just ran for a career-low 349 yards. Over his previous seven seasons, the two-time NFL MVP rushed for anywhere between 695-1,206 yards.

Of course, some context is needed. Jackson missed four-plus games due to injury. Three-plus were due to a hamstring strain suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 28. He dealt with a back contusion that sidelined him for one game in December. Knee and ankle concerns didn't sideline Jackson, but they did ail him.

So it's understandable why Jackson's rushing production was way down. A healthier season, of course, can lead to an upswing on the ground.

Looking ahead, Jackson is entering his ninth NFL season. He's taken a lot of hits over the years, and it's possible that he could be entering a stage of his career where it's wiser to avoid them a bit more to keep him on the field.

Jackson is invaluable to the Ravens' success as evidenced by a 76-31 regular season record with him as the starter (10-16 otherwise since 2018). Baltimore needs him out there.

One offensive coordinator interviewed kept Jackson in Tier 1 but also seemed pessimistic about the near-future if he can't run as well.

"The arrow is probably down," an offensive coordinator said. "I'm just not ready to give him a 2 yet. If he doesn't play well, they don't win games. He has been able to carry that roster no matter what the rest of it looked like, even last year.

"Now, if he stops running, I do think he drops into the 2 category. I think he can win games and be an elite quarterback without running, but I don't think he's a 1 without running."

Jackson and the Ravens are entering a new era now with head coach John Harbaugh now out (and coaching the New York Giants) and former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter leading the way. Declan Doyle, the Chicago Bears' offensive coordinator in 2025, now leads the Ravens' offense.

We'll see how the changes affect the team soon enough when the Ravens open the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 13 at the Indianapolis Colts.