Lamar Jackson is one of the most electric players in the NFL with the ball in his hand, and his incredible speed and agility make him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
As a rookie in 2018, Jackson recorded 9.2 rushes per game and racked up 695 yards on the ground, but we’ve seen Jackson rely on his arm more in 2019, and there’s a good reason for that. According to Jackson, he simply doesn’t like running the ball.
Via ESPN:
“I hate running. Only if I have to, but my job is to get the ball to the receivers, the tight ends, running backs. If I have to run, I’ll do it, but I’d rather just sit back and pass it. I like throwing touchdowns instead of running them.”
There are also some practical benefits to Jackson remaining in the pocket, beyond satisfying his preferences. Relying on his arm rather than his legs reduces the amount of hits he’ll take in the open field, and should help keep him fresher later in the season, when the Ravens hope to make a playoff run.
Jackson also had an issue with turnovers as a rookie. He fumbled the ball 12 times in 2018, but has zero fumbles and interceptions through Week 3.
