Is Lamar Jackson No Longer a Top 10 Quarterback in the NFL?
The consensus from at least one participant in ESPN’s annual Quarterback Survey—comprising executives, coaches, and scouts—is that Lamar Jackson is still a top 10 quarterback. Colin Cowherd from Fox Sports Radio shares a different sentiment, expressing doubts about Jackson’s reliability.
On Tuesday, Cowherd stated, “I’m not really trusting Lamar Jackson that much anymore. I’m considering pulling my support… If we had to make decisions based on what we’ve seen lately, I’d pick Bo Nix.” Cowherd’s top 10 quarterbacks list includes:
- Josh Allen (Bills)
- Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
- Caleb Williams (Bears)
- Matthew Stafford (Rams)
- Justin Herbert (Chargers)
- Joe Burrow (Bengals)
- Sam Darnold (Seahawks)
- Jared Goff (Lions)
- Jordan Love (Packers)
- Drake Maye (Patriots)
While it may seem extreme to exclude Jackson from the top 10, the reasoning isn’t without basis. Many view the discourse around Jackson’s ranking as part of a larger cultural conversation, overshadowing pure football analysis. Over the last seven seasons, Jackson has proven himself to be one of the league’s best quarterbacks and even secured the MVP title twice.
However, based on his recent performances, Cowherd argues Jackson’s chances for this year’s MVP are questionable compared to those ahead of him on the list.
There are, of course, valid counterpoints. Jackson still boasts a high ceiling, but his floor seems less reliable than before. Notably, he wasn’t considered one of the top 10 quarterbacks last season.
In 13 games, Jackson averaged only 196.1 passing yards per game—lower than Michael Penix Jr. and Geno Smith. If projected over a full season, his 21 touchdowns would likely be seen as average. His rushing game wasn’t particularly threatening either, with just 349 yards and two touchdowns.
By most measures, Jackson’s dynamism has decreased compared to earlier stages of his career. This could be linked to injuries; maybe he wasn’t entirely healthy last season. If that’s the case, there’s potential for him to reclaim his MVP caliber this year.
But maybe his decline is happening quicker than anticipated. It’s not uncommon; instances like Russell Wilson’s rapid fall from elite to average, or Cam Newton’s similar fate, illustrate this potential pitfall.
Quarterbacks who heavily rely on their athletic abilities often don’t age as gracefully. While Jackson is an accurate passer, his remarkable agility and speed have always set him apart.
Moreover, Cowherd raises significant concerns about Jackson’s playoff performances. Despite a solid regular-season track record, his postseason stats leave something to be desired. With a 3-5 playoff record, a 60.6% completion rate, a 10-7 touchdown to interception ratio, and an 84.6 passer rating, it’s clear that he hasn’t shined when it mattered most.
These statistics support Cowherd’s claim that he feels more confident in Bo Nix during critical moments. In the previous season’s playoff against the Bills, Nix demonstrated the ability to perform in pressure situations, something Jackson has struggled with in the past.
If you consider how quarterbacks are evaluated based on their ability to perform in crucial moments, it becomes reasonable to suggest that Jackson might belong outside the top 10.
As we approach the 2026 season, it also makes sense to highlight quarterbacks with fewer uncertainties. Questions remain about Jackson’s health, whether his athleticism is declining, how he’ll adapt under new coaching, or his long-term commitment to football. Periodically, concerns about his dedication and well-being in Baltimore surface during the offseason.
For many other elite quarterbacks like Mahomes, Allen, Stafford, Burrow, Maye, and Caleb Williams, these issues aren’t as pressing. They head into the season as more reliable options compared to Jackson. Discussions will likely revolve around how he matches up against quarterbacks like Jordan Love, Jared Goff, Jaeden Daniels, and Sam Darnold.
In essence, questioning whether Lamar Jackson remains a top-10 quarterback is certainly valid. And these inquiries will linger until he delivers on the grandest stage.
