Lamar Jackson narrowly lost the MVP race in 2024 to Josh Allen. He was tremendous for the Baltimore Ravens then, terrorizing opposing defenses just as he has done throughout his career.
But the 2025 campaign has been different. He looks uncomfortable back there and has struggled to punish teams. Why has Jackson not looked like himself so far this year?
Why Is Lamar Jackson Struggling in 2025?
Jackson has been dealing with injuries throughout 2025. He missed three games in the middle of the season and hasn’t been able to get comfortable since his return. He already has four interceptions in just nine games, which matches his total for all of last year. It’s a complete shock to see Jackson turn the ball over like this and look like a shell of himself under center.
Even though Jackson won’t admit it, the injuries seem to be disrupting his rhythm. He simply hasn’t been the same player. Jackson is currently the 15th-ranked quarterback on PFSN’s QB Impact score with a grade of 77.6. This would mark his second finish outside the top 10, the other coming in 2021, if he can’t turn it around.
Watching Jackson on Thanksgiving was tough. He wasn’t completing passes at a high level, he was carelessly turning the ball over, and he struggled to make things happen. Unfortunately, this uncharacteristic display has become more common this season.
The Ravens struggled in Jackson’s absence and haven’t been the dominant team fans expected them to be in 2025. With their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving, Baltimore left the door open in the AFC North for the Pittsburgh Steelers to take control of the division. There is even a backdoor opportunity for Cincinnati to steal the crown.
Lamar Jackson has thrown at least 23 passes without a touchdown toss in three straight games. That is the first such instance in his great career and the first time it has happened in the NFL this season.
He isn’t threatening defenses in the same way with his legs, either. He has yet to record a 20-yard run, and his 5.1 yards per carry are tracking to be his lowest average since his rookie season. That lack of explosion has made converting on third down an uphill battle.
In his nine starts this season, Jackson has completed just 52.6% of his third-down passes with one score and one pick. Compare that to last season, when he was in the MVP conversation until the very end: he completed 62.2% of his passes in that spot, racking up 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions.
The Ravens are in trouble. Their playoff chances took a huge hit with the recent loss. Their overall performance is worrying, and the clock is ticking for Baltimore to find its groove. Even if they do manage to win the division, it’s tough to envision the Ravens pulling out a playoff win if Jackson and the team continue playing like this.