Shockwaves Across the NFL: Lamar Jackson Left Off Multiple Top 5 QB Lists by League Executives—And His Response Is Turning Heads

When it comes to electrifying football players, few names have consistently demanded attention the way Lamar Jackson has. Since bursting onto the scene, he’s rewritten what it means to play quarterback in the modern NFL. He won a league MVP before turning 24. He’s shattered records, turned defensive coordinators into problem-solvers with no solutions, and brought a level of unpredictability to the quarterback position that the league hadn’t seen in decades. And yet, here we are in 2025, and multiple NFL executives have reportedly left Jackson off their Top 5 quarterback lists—a move that’s sent shockwaves through the football world and ignited passionate responses from players, fans, and analysts alike.

It’s a decision that feels less like evaluation and more like an indictment of a style that continues to divide traditionalists and visionaries. In a league that’s been slow to accept evolution at the quarterback position, Jackson has become a lightning rod for every debate about what greatness looks like under center. But to those who have watched him game after game—who’ve seen his ability to turn broken plays into touchdowns, command defenses with his legs and his arm, and lead a franchise with relentless competitiveness—the idea that he doesn’t belong in the top five is more than a snub. It’s a fundamental misunderstanding of what wins football games in today’s NFL.

The list in question, which emerged from anonymous executive input gathered during off-season evaluations, included many of the usual suspects. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen were locked in. Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert had their names etched as well. Jalen Hurts received mention after his Super Bowl appearance and consistent leadership. But Lamar Jackson? Absent. Not mentioned as a firm lock. Not given the benefit of the doubt. Not seen as elite by some of the very decision-makers who help shape the league’s narrative. And while it’s not entirely surprising given the cautious attitude NFL front offices have taken toward dual-threat quarterbacks, it’s still jarring when you consider the totality of Jackson’s resume.

His response, true to form, hasn’t come in the form of angry tweets or dramatic soundbites. Instead, it’s been quiet confidence and an even louder commitment to proving everyone wrong. Those close to Jackson say this latest snub has only intensified his off-season focus. He’s working relentlessly, not just on physical conditioning and playbook mastery, but on becoming the kind of quarterback no list can ignore. And the Ravens are backing him with full faith, stacking the roster, investing in offensive upgrades, and signaling in every way that their championship hopes live and die with No. 8. To be clear, this isn’t just about ego or headlines. It’s about respect. It’s about a player who has done everything asked of him and more, being continuously told that he’s not enough simply because he doesn’t fit a traditional mold.

The narrative is familiar. Lamar Jackson’s critics have always hung their doubts on his passing ability or the sustainability of his running style. But the stats tell a different story. His touchdown-to-interception ratio rivals that of the best pocket passers. His win percentage as a starter remains among the league’s elite. His ability to carry an offense, even when depleted by injuries, is unmatched. And the evolution in his passing game—more touch, more anticipation, more command of timing routes—has been evident for anyone willing to watch with an open mind. The problem isn’t performance. The problem is perception.

There’s also the undeniable truth that Jackson has done more with less than most quarterbacks in the top five conversation. For much of his career, he’s operated without a true No. 1 wide receiver. The offensive line has had moments of brilliance but also stretches of inconsistency. The running back room has been plagued by injuries. And yet, Jackson continues to deliver. He continues to win. He continues to lead. And now, with a revamped receiving corps, a retooled offensive approach, and the chip of all chips on his shoulder, he may be heading into the most dangerous season of his career.

Inside the Ravens organization, the reaction to the top-five snub has been one of disbelief but not surprise. They’ve seen this story before. Jackson gets doubted. Jackson gets overlooked. And then Jackson makes the doubters look foolish. The front office, coaching staff, and locker room all remain aligned in their belief that they have a franchise cornerstone whose best is still ahead of him. More importantly, they understand that greatness sometimes doesn’t fit the traditional metrics or aesthetics. Sometimes greatness looks like Lamar Jackson—a blur of motion, a flash of brilliance, a quarterback who makes impossible seem routine.

The league may be slower to catch on. That’s fine with Jackson. In fact, it fuels him. He doesn’t need unanimous acclaim. He needs Sundays. He needs the ball in his hands and defenders trying to catch him. He needs fourth quarters and two-minute drills and hostile stadiums where he can let his play speak in ways that rankings never will. That’s where Jackson thrives—in the fire, not the spotlight. And this latest slight only adds more fuel to the inferno.

As the season approaches, the storyline is crystal clear. Lamar Jackson has been told, once again, that he’s not quite good enough. That there are five other quarterbacks better suited for greatness. That his style is exciting, but not elite. That his MVP season was an outlier, not a preview. And once again, he’ll be out to prove them wrong—not through words, but through wins, through dominance, through the kind of unforgettable moments that can’t be measured in offseason votes.

Because when the dust settles, and the season plays out, the NFL has a funny way of remembering who really belongs. And if history is any indicator, those Top 5 lists are going to need some serious revision by January. Lamar Jackson isn’t just playing for respect. He’s playing for history. And he’s doing it on his terms.