Lamar Jackson had a tough 2025 season by his high standards. The two-time MVP missed four games due to hamstring and back injuries, which clearly sapped the elite open-field explosiveness that usually defines his game. That dip in production was heavily punished by his peers in the annual NFL Top 100 voting, where he collapsed 67 spots down to No. 69.
Former NFL linebacker Bart Scott pushed back on any excuses for the slide, stating that success in the NFL is rented and Jackson simply didn’t pay his rent last year.
Bart Scott destroys Lamar Jackson’s season after he tumbles 67 spots
Every year, NFL players vote on the league’s top talent. Following a massive season where he threw for 4,172 yards, Jackson’s peers voted him the No. 2 overall player in football.
Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) applies pressure to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the first half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
However, his production fell significantly due to injury setbacks. He finished the past year with 2,549 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Because of that decline, fellow players voted him all the way down to No. 69 ahead of the 2026 season.
Scott, who spent 11 years on the gridiron before retiring, didn’t soften his tone while critiquing the Baltimore Ravens quarterback during a recent segment of ESPN’s “Get Up.”
“Success in this league is rented, not owned, and rent’s due every day. And the rent wasn’t paid by Lamar Jackson last year,” Scott said on set. He questioned whether Jackson can survive as a pocket passer going forward, pointing out the Ravens didn’t get the same explosive scrambles that made him a matchup nightmare.
“Rent is due every day, and the rent wasn’t paid by Lamar Jackson last year.”@BartScott57 talks about Lamar Jackson dropping 67 spots in the NFL player rankings 👀 pic.twitter.com/KlIHiIQbZq
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 14, 2026
“We’re accustomed to seeing Lamar Jackson change angles, put defenses in a bind. Guys were tackling him one-on-one in space, and we’re not accustomed to seeing that,” Scott added.
Scott pointed out a number that is tough to ignore. Jackson already has 1,081 career rushing attempts. That puts him just 37 carries away from passing Cam Newton’s lifetime total of 1,118.
For Scott, the real problem is not talent. It is simply the physical wear and tear on Jackson’s body. That concern over his durability is now the biggest storyline for Baltimore heading into training camp.
A new offensive coordinator and a chip on his shoulder for Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson is entering the 2026 season under new head coach Jesse Minter and his third offensive coordinator, Declan Doyle. This marks Baltimore’s first head coaching change since 2008. While Scott questions the new system, Jackson’s teammates remain confident.
Wide receiver Zay Flowers strongly defended him, saying, “He can do anything from anywhere in the pocket, running. If that’s not a threat, I don’t know what is.”
History is also on Jackson’s side. He won the MVP award both times he adjusted to a new offensive coordinator. That bounce-back effort will begin when training camp opens next month.
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