Lamar Jackson’s 2025 season fell far short of the expectations set by his All-Pro campaign in 2024, which came just a few votes shy of earning him his third MVP and solidifying him as an elite quarterback in the NFL.
Among the many issues the Baltimore Ravens dealt with, injuries were the main obstacle Jackson faced throughout the regular season, keeping him out of four games. Amid criticism, the atmosphere around the franchise cooled, and the quarterback had to address speculation suggesting he had abandoned the team.
Lamar Jackson Refutes Claims He Quit on Ravens, Cites Injury Struggles
Being a dual-threat quarterback in the NFL comes with highs and lows, and injuries are certainly one of the main factors that can impact a player’s season. In Jackson’s case, even though the injuries were not a result of his play style, they inevitably limited him and forced his approach to adapt.
In 2025, the issues piled up, and a hamstring injury sidelined him for three games early in the year, beginning in Week 5, a stretch that complicated Baltimore’s season until his return against the Miami Dolphins. Even after coming back, minor setbacks continued to limit him in practice and raised uncertainty.
Fans and some members of the media began to question Jackson after he suffered a back injury against the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football in Week 16, when the quarterback exited the game. Jackson said he had not abandoned the team, explaining he was in no condition to play.
“I was really hurt. I don’t know why I gotta get questioned … I never quit on my team before. I never quit anything to be honest with y’all. I don’t know where that noise come from,” Jackson said (per Bobby Trosset).
Lamar Jackson responded to widespread criticism this afternoon:
“I was really hurt. I don’t know why I gotta get questioned … I never quit on my team before. I never quit anything to be honest with y’all. I don’t know where that noise come from. … Do you think Harbaugh… pic.twitter.com/gHDcyxdDM9
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) January 1, 2026
Jackson’s most recent injury was a back contusion that the team handled with caution, keeping him out of the previous game. However, it was not considered a long-term issue and could have developed into a more serious problem had the team taken a risk and made Jackson available in Week 17.
After Jackson’s injury, Tyler Huntley took over, and the Ravens pulled off a big win against the Green Bay Packers last week, keeping the team alive and needing just one more victory to clinch a playoff spot and the AFC North title. Jackson has already stated he will be on the field for the next game.
Jackson’s season has been disappointing, even when accounting for his injuries. He is listed as the 17th-ranked quarterback in the PFSN Impact Metrics with a score of 76.8 and holds a 6-6 record as the Ravens’ starter in 2025. Finishing the season strong could be key to quieting rumors surrounding a strained relationship with the franchise and questions about his availability in 2026.
