The Baltimore Ravens have had a fortunate franchise history.
They have been to 13 postseasons in 26 years and won two Super Bowls.
The Ravens also had five straight playoff appearances from 2008 to 2012.
Their success gave rise to some iconic players like Jonathan Ogden, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed, and Ray Lewis.
Currently, quarterback Lamar Jackson is the undisputed leader of the team.
To say the least, their success heavily depends on his production.
Case in point: he had to play at an MVP level last season to lead the Ravens to an 8-3 record.
But when he went down to a season-ending ankle injury, the team never won again and missed the postseason.
The Louisville alumnus is the only quarterback with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and he finished with 767 yards in 2021, even if he only played 11 games.
Aside from that feat, NBC Sports’ Warren Sharp pointed out something interesting about Jackson.
the only player in NFL history with over 80 total TDs before the age of 24 pic.twitter.com/Lp6Ka0JyWd
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 22, 2022
Sharp tweeted, “the only player in NFL history with over 80 total TDs before the age of 24.”
Say what you want about his style, but Jackson delivers for the Ravens.
Their postseason success is subject to another discussion but what matters is that they compile enough victories to reach that stage.
As of the 2021 season, Jackson has 84 passing touchdowns and 21 rushing scores.
During his MVP season, he had 43 total touchdowns and 4,333 all-purpose yards.
Ravens Should Lock Him Up Long Term
The Ravens haven’t signed Jackson to a long-term deal, as great as he is.
He will play the 2022 season under his fifth-year option, and time is running out to finalize his extension.
Reports reveal that he was offered more money than what Kyler Murray got from his extension.
However, Jackson won’t agree until he gets a fully guaranteed contract.
NEXT: Ravens HC Offers A Hopeful Gus Edwards Update