NFL analyst snubs Lamar Jackson in bold quarterback take

Jul 15, 2026, 12:00 PM CUT

September 10, 2025: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson speaks to the media after practice in Owings Mills, Maryland. - ZUMAm67_ 20250910_zaf_m67_038 Copyright: xKevinxRichardsonx

Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Lamar Jackson fell 67 places in the player-voted NFL Top 100 list from 2 to 69. That was sufficient evidence for FS1 analyst Colin Cowherd to make one of the most audacious quarterback takes of the offseason.

On The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the host gave his opinion on Jackson and went as far as to say that Bo Nix, the QB for the Denver Broncos, is ranked ahead of the two-time league MVP in clutch situations.

"I no longer trust Lamar Jackson in a big spot. I'm selling my stock...I take Bo Nix today in a fourth quarter come-from-behind situation," Cowherd said on The Herd.

NFL, American Football Herren, USA Washington Commanders at Baltimore Ravens Oct 13, 2024 Baltimore, Maryland, USA Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson 8 greets offensive coordinator Todd Monken prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore M&T Bank Stadium Maryland USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMitchxStringerx 20241013_bd_ax1_029

During the 2025 season, Jackson dealt with a recurring hamstring injury and missed four games. The Ravens had a disappointing 8-9 record and missed the postseason, especially compared with Jackson's MVP years of 2023 and 2024. In the same episode, Cowherd referenced data to support this.

"Lamar Jackson as a starter used to average 10 rushes a game. Last year, it was five. He used to give you 65 yards rushing a game. Last year, it was 26. His sack percentage has gone through the roof. Only one quarterback in the league had a higher sack percentage: Geno Smith. He [Lamar] is a declining player," Cowherd said on The Herd.

Cowherd defended his comparison to Nix by highlighting the Denver quarterback's performance during the 2025 divisional round playoff against the Buffalo Bills, where Nix went toe-to-toe with Josh Allen before sustaining a costly ankle injury.

Nix had eight fourth-quarter comebacks and ten game-winning drives in 34 total games, coming close to Jackson's comebacks and game-winning drives, despite Jackson playing in the league since 2018.

Because the Ravens are routinely playing with a lead, Jackson rarely has the opportunity to orchestrate a fourth-quarter comeback, a dominant game script that underpins his stellar 76-31 career record.

That performance, however, meant nothing when the players voted this offseason.

Lamar Jackson drops 67 spots on NFL Top 100 list

Given that Jackson missed four games, and his passing stats went from 4,172 to 2,549, and his rushing yards went from 915 to 349, voters are given plenty of reasons to move on.

Jackson is a two-time MVP with more accolades than 68 players. Players list their top 20, and points are assigned by placement.

Players climbing the ranks are those currently playing the best when voting happens. Having an off year will drop you even more during voting, regardless of your past status, per Mike Florio of NBC Sports.

The ranking reveals more about the ranking itself than it does about Jackson. One bad season doesn’t change what he is, and the rest of the league will find out in 2026.

Does one injury-riddled season justify Lamar Jackson dropping 67 spots on the NFL Top 100 list? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore