Lamar Jackson continues to redefine the quarterback position, and despite falling just short in the MVP race in 2024, his legacy as the greatest dual-threat quarterback in NFL history remains as strong as ever.
With a historic season that saw him become the first quarterback in league history to throw for over 4,000 yards and rush for more than 800 yards in a single season, Jackson’s case as the ultimate modern-day playmaker is undeniable. Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew Brees agrees, stating in a recent interview that Jackson’s combination of speed, agility, and passing prowess makes him unlike any other QB to ever play the game.
By any statistical measure, 2024 was Lamar Jackson’s best season yet. While he fell just short of claiming his third NFL MVP award, Jackson’s impact on the field was nothing short of elite.
🏆 Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) – 27 first-place votes
🥈 Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) – 23 first-place votes
Despite coming in second, Jackson’s resume was stacked with record-breaking performances: ✔️ 4,127 passing yards (career-high)
✔️ 33 passing touchdowns
✔️ 815 rushing yards
✔️ 7 rushing touchdowns
✔️ First-team All-Pro selection
But the most defining moment of his season? On Christmas Day, Jackson passed Michael Vick to become the all-time leading rusher among quarterbacks.
“Lamar Jackson is a guy with such a unique skill set,” Drew Brees said in an exclusive interview.
“Because there is no other quarterback that can run like him. You could truly design an offense and a game plan behind his ability to run or his ability to affect how the defense plays the run, just because of the threat that he poses.”
Brees, a legendary pocket passer himself, sees Jackson as a generational talent who has completely changed the way defenses must prepare for the quarterback position.
Jackson is in a league of his own when it comes to dual-threat quarterbacks.
| Quarterback | Career Passing Yards | Career Rushing Yards | MVP Awards | Super Bowl Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar Jackson | 24,387 | 6,651 (All-time QB rushing leader) | 2 | 0 |
| Michael Vick | 22,464 | 6,109 | 0 | 0 |
| Cam Newton | 32,382 | 5,628 | 1 | 0 |
| Josh Allen | 25,009 | 4,022 | 1 | 0 |
| Steve Young | 33,124 | 4,239 | 2 | 1 |
While Michael Vick revolutionized the mobile quarterback, Jackson has taken it to another level by being an MVP-caliber passer and elite rusher simultaneously. Unlike many scrambling quarterbacks, Jackson doesn’t just run when plays break down—he runs as part of a designed offensive philosophy.
✔️ Unmatched Speed & Agility – Defenses must account for his ability to take off for 50+ yards at any moment.
✔️ Elite Pocket Presence – Jackson’s ability to extend plays while keeping his eyes downfield makes him deadly in the passing game.
✔️ Arm Talent – He’s developed into a top-tier passer, evidenced by his 4,000+ passing yards in 2024.
✔️ Game-Changing Playmaker – When the game is on the line, Jackson has the ability to take over in multiple ways.
While Lamar Jackson and Drew Brees have played the quarterback position in vastly different ways, their careers share a few striking similarities:
| Category | Lamar Jackson | Drew Brees |
|---|---|---|
| Super Bowl Wins | 0 (Still chasing) | 1 (SB XLIV MVP) |
| MVPs | 2 (2019, 2022) | 0 |
| First-Team All-Pro Selections | 2 (2019, 2024) | 1 (2006) |
| Career Passing Yards | 24,387 | 80,358 (2nd all-time) |
| Career Rushing Yards | 6,651 (All-time QB leader) | N/A |
Despite never winning an NFL MVP, Brees was widely regarded as one of the most efficient and accurate passers in NFL history. Meanwhile, Jackson has revolutionized the quarterback position, proving that a run-heavy quarterback can also be an elite passer.
With both quarterbacks earning multiple All-Pro nods and setting league records, they stand as two of the most influential QBs of their respective eras.
Even though Jackson didn’t take home the 2024 MVP, his elite season has set the stage for an even bigger run in 2025.
✔️ A talented supporting cast: Pro Bowl WR Zay Flowers, red-zone threat Rashod Bateman, and elite TE duo Mark Andrews & Isaiah Likely.
✔️ A dominant run game: With Derrick Henry still in Baltimore, Jackson will continue to thrive in a balanced offensive attack.
✔️ Elite organizational stability: The Ravens draft and develop talent as well as any team in the NFL.
“Lamar is what makes this team go, and he’s the reason why we still had a chance,” Derrick Henry said after Baltimore’s playoff run.
“He’s a Hall of Fame player, had a great season. … We believe in him, and we always are going to be behind his back.”
With Jackson at the helm, Baltimore remains a top contender in the AFC, and the 2025 season could be the year he finally adds a Super Bowl to his legendary career.
✔️ Already the greatest rushing quarterback of all time
✔️ Two-time MVP, First-Team All-Pro selection
✔️ Continues to evolve as an elite passer
✔️ Backed by NFL legends like Drew Brees
At just 28 years old, Jackson is still in his prime, and his best years may still be ahead of him. Whether or not he wins another MVP, his legacy as the most dynamic quarterback in NFL history is already cemented.
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