The quarterback is the most important position in sports. Bold, underline, and highlight that for Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens.
The 2019 NFL MVP rushed for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons and was well on his way to a third season of 1,000 rushing yards in 2021 before injuries cut his season short.
Still, the Ravens went from a 14-2 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC in 2019, to an 11-5 record and a wild card berth in 2020, to missing the playoffs altogether in 2021. Although Jackson’s absence was largely responsible for the 2021 outcome, the Ravens’ slide had begun before their QB went on the shelf.