Ravens' Lamar Jackson Responds to Criticism and NFL Top 100 Ranking

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is a two-time NFL MVP and arguably should have won his third in 2024. Unfortunately, the 2025 season was filled with injuries and a less-than-productive outcome.

Even still, Jackson remains one of the most prolific players in the league and continues to face steep criticism. He also plummeted to No. 69 overall on the NFL Top 100 Players list, after being No. 2 in 2025, which he has now addressed.

Jackson appeared on "The Lounge" to speak about many topics, including the steep criticism he faces every year. When asked specifically about his NFL Top 100 ranking, he offered up the usual answer of not paying attention to it.

"I was cool with it. I really didn't care. You know, I play football. I don't really care about what people ranking me," Jackson said.

Jackson has been a consummate pro, but he also admitted that he used to be quick to respond to the critics. Now, he relies on his faith, and just makes his life about playing football. 

"I don't look for the noise, you know it pretty much it finds me. It finds me, you know, like early in my career, I used to like respond to certain things I see. I'm like, what you talk? Like, you know, stuff like that. But, you know, I just grew more like, just reading my Bible, you know, getting closer to God and I'm reading the Bible and I'm seeing like that is it comes with the territory. So I really don't care about it," Jackson said.

Instead of allowing himself to be bothered by or respond to the critics, he instead chooses to just ignore the outside noise. 

The Ravens may have had a tough 2025 season, but they are all looking to move past that. There is a new head coach in town in Jesse Minter, and a lot to be excited about, especially for Jackson.

"I'm hyped, man. And uh I I believe just because we finished the season off in a way we wasn't accustomed to, you know. So just that, you know, um, new guys around, you know, just a whole new team basically, you know, and I'm a vet now. I've been a vet probably two years, I'd say. But it's like now I'm really a vet. So it's like, man, it's just surreal. It's just overwhelming in a good way, though. In a positive way. It's fun," Jackson said.

Jackson had previously talked about new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle showcasing an offense that the quarterback called "mind-blowing." He has now reiterated just how impactful the new coach has been on him thus far.

"...That's what I'm receiving from Coach Declan. You know, he's challenging us and that's pretty much what I want and I feel like every player should want that. You want the the coach to bring the best out of you. I don't feel like I know it all. You know, even if I feel like I know something, no, teach me. I want to see your point of view of this, you know," Jackson said.

The Ravens went 8-9 in 2025, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021.  The lack of success led Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti to make sweeping changes, as John Harbaugh was fired after 18 years with the organization.

Now, it is up to Minter, Doyle, and the rest of the coaching staff to elevate the team. It all starts with Jackson, who can shake off the struggles of last season. 

One major thing is the Ravens team is healthy. Granted, there is still Nnamdi Madubuike and Teddye Buchanan who are coming off of season-ending injuries, but the rest of the roster is in good shape.

Training camp is now here, and Jackson can help lead the team back to being a threat in the AFC. A lot has to go right for that to happen, but the quarterback seems to be in a good mindset to ensure he can continue leading in 2026 and beyond.