Moving into the 2026 season, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson got hit with a reality check. In the list of the NFL’s Top 100, Jackson found himself at No. 69. However, this ranking did not sit well with former Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III.

The list is curated by NFL.com after the players voted for each other. For Jackson, the fall has been steep since he dipped 67 spots after ranking No.2 in the Top 100 last year. This made Griffin strongly defend Jackson. 

He took to X on July 13, expressing his frustration. 

“Lamar Jackson is not the 69th best player in the NFL. BURN THIS LIST TO THE GROUND,” he wrote. 

Griffin’s take on X came as he re-shared a video by NFL.com that captured both current and former players praising Jackson.

“Yeah, Lamar's special,” said former Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio. “I think he's so dynamic to what Baltimore does when he's on the field. Just the threat of his run mobility.”

Jackson has hit multiple records in the NFL. For instance, he became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 6,000 career rushing yards (100 games). He also holds the honor for the most 100-yard rushing performances (14) and 50-yard rushing performances (61) by a QB in NFL history.

Yet he fell in the rankings because of the rough 2025 season. 

While Jackson recorded 2,549 passing yards and 21 touchdowns last year, he had the weakest rushing season of his career, totaling only 67 carries for 349 yards and two touchdowns.

However, injuries played a major role in his struggles. A hamstring injury sidelined him for two games, and he remained on the injury report from Week 10 and on.

While Jackson received support from Robert Griffin III, criticisms also started doing the rounds. 

Lamar Jackson faces scrutiny

In ESPN’s survey of all NFL quarterbacks, Jackson ranked No.5 behind Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, and Joe Burrow. However, after the NFL’s Top 100 rankings, analysts started questioning his talent. 

“Success in this league is rented, not owned, and the rent's due every day. The rent wasn't paid by Lamar Jackson last year,” ESPN's Bart Scott shared on the Get Up podcast. "What you have to ask yourself is, can Lamar Jackson adjust to being a pocket passer? Because we didn't see the explosive runs that he had last year."

However, there is still hope for Jackson to start things afresh. Baltimore now has a new head coach and offensive coordinator, giving him a chance to bounce back in 2026. 

The silver lining is Lamar Jackson's track record of using criticism as motivation. After turning draft-night doubts into two MVP awards, the No. 69 ranking could serve as another source of inspiration.

What are your thoughts on Robert Griffin III’s support for Lamar Jackson? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Soheli Tarafdar

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar