For Lamar Jackson, the pressure to win a Super Bowl has only grown with each passing season. While the Baltimore Ravens quarterback has already collected two MVP awards, Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin believes the disappointment of falling short has to fuel him rather than overwhelm him.
Jackson endured a heartbreaking end to the 2025 season when the Ravens lost 26-24 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in their final game, officially eliminating Baltimore from playoff contention at 8-9. After the loss, Jackson was visibly emotional and admitted how difficult the defeat was. “It’s devastating. I’m furious…”
Irvin recently addressed Jackson’s reaction and offered some tough love, arguing that the quarterback now has to turn that disappointment into motivation as he continues chasing his first Super Bowl.
Michael Irvin Sends Direct Message to Lamar Jackson
While discussing Jackson’s response, the Cowboys legend said the quarterback cannot allow the heartbreak to define him.
“Ravens are getting in this year,” Irvin said about the team making the playoffs.
Irvin believes Jackson understands the weight of the expectations surrounding him, especially after entering the NFL, and is determined to change how people view quarterbacks who rely heavily on their legs.
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“I do believe Lamar feels like he was the one that was supposed to prove to the world that a quarterback that can run, win the Super Bowl. Yes, he does feel pressure,” Irvin added.
Irvin pointed to Jalen Hurts reaching the Super Bowl as an example of a mobile quarterback proving he could lead an offense at the highest level.
“Jalen Hurts came in and proved that to the world. He just watched that goal and that dream slip away,” Irvin added.
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He also recalled Jackson’s famous comments about being viewed as a running back when he entered the league. “He said, ‘Yeah, I’m a running back.’ So he wanted to set you up by saying ‘Now I’m a running back’ because he expected to be holding that trophy saying a running back won the position and won the trophy at quarterback.”
For Irvin, that mindset shows just how much Jackson has invested in proving his doubters wrong. The problem now is that the quarterback has yet to turn his individual success into a championship.
Jackson finished his most recent NFL season with 2,549 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 13 games. He also ranked 13th among quarterbacks in PFN’s QB Impact Metric last season with an impact score of 77.7.
Those numbers add to an impressive individual résumé, but they have not been enough to silence questions about Jackson’s postseason success.
Irvin expects the Ravens to return to the playoffs in 2026, but another MVP-caliber season will not be enough for Jackson. He must turn last season’s heartbreak into motivation and lead Baltimore to the Super Bowl.
