The NFL is still vastly underrating Lamar Jackson (and overrating this AFC QB)

USA Today

a day ago

The NFL at large still doesn't nearly respect Baltimore Ravens superstar Lamar Jackson as much as it should. Despite two MVP awards, three First-Team All-Pro selections, and a firm stranglehold on the title of greatest dual-threat quarterback of all time, he somehow remains underrated in some league circles.
This, quite frankly, boggles my mind.
On Monday, ESPN revealed the first part of its annual positional rankings survey, which focused on the best quarterbacks right now. Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the voters in the process include various executives, coaches, and scouts, and the final tallies and rankings are a composite average. It's a way to gauge the current landscape of the league in a (somewhat) scientific manner (even though we don't know precisely who was polled or what kind of research and interviews were conducted).
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When you rifling through the list of elite offensive signal-callers, it starts off without a hitch.
Unsurprisingly, even with the Kansas City Chiefs' defeat in Super Bowl 59, Patrick Mahomes remains the king of the hill. Coming off arguably the best individual season of his career, the Buffalo Bills' reigning MVP, Josh Allen, tags in just behind Mahomes. All chalk for the most part. No harm, no foul.
After that, the conversation gets a bit more ... contentious? Dubious? Heck, I'll be kind and say arguable.
Let's do that.
On the one hand, I don't necessarily have any huge qualms with the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow and Jackson coming in at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. They're division rivals. As far as I'm concerned, they're kind of neck and neck. However, I have significant issues with the small revealed tidbits of the process and the later parts of the rankings.
For example, who on Earth gave Jackson a No. 6 ranking while also putting statistical darling Justin Herbert at No. 3? For the time being, Jackson should never leave the top four. Ever. And why is Herbert, among others, above guys like defending Super Bowl champion Jalen Hurts (No. 9)? I mean, c'mon now. I'm not a Herbert hater, unlike some irritating loudmouths in the sports media industry, but there is no way, shape, or form he is a top-three NFL quarterback or someone any reasonable mind would take over Hurts, at least at this specific moment in time.
At a certain point, actual accomplishments have to mean something. Jackson (and Hurts) are much more accomplished than their peer from the Los Angeles Chargers.
Also, didn't anyone learn their lesson from C.J. Stroud's sophomore slump last season?
I love Jayden Daniels. I think he's got a tremendously bright future. But he is not a top-five quarterback after one good season in the NFL. I'm sorry. We need to have standards in that sort of hallowed company. Let him replicate his success with the Washington Commanders for at least two consecutive seasons before we start breaking out the anointing oils. It's really hard to maintain consistency as an elite young quarterback. Everyone eventually experiences some valleys. Daniels will likely be no different. Stroud's story is a prime example.
Ultimately, these are subjective opinions from NFL people who, in some cases, are paid a lot of money to illustrate their thought processes for their teams, the media, and otherwise. And, you know, it's summer, so (mostly meaningless) rankings season is upon us. Nonetheless, I'm starting to believe that they really overthink certain aspects of their own because they can't see the forest for the trees about what and who actually matters in pro football.