Lamar Jackson is already one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks, but Hall of Famer Steve Young believes there's still room to grow.
While speaking on Kevin Clark's "This is Football," Young said the Baltimore Ravens need to develop a more passing-friendly game — with wide receivers to match — to take Jackson's game to the next level.
Young said he believes the 2023 season was a transition year away from the running game for Jackson and the Ravens.
"His arc of his career has been slowed by Baltimore's fanaticism with the run," Young said. "They have come out of that trance and they're trying to transition — this was the transition year. I thought that Lamar has tried to lead his game into a more sophisticated passing game, which is what he needs to be one of the best that's ever played, which I've said many times.
"So, I'm going to take this as a transition season, which I thought was very successful. Obviously the [AFC] championship game was a complete bummer but it doesn’t negate the advancement they’ve made as an organization to give Lamar Jackson the chance to be the greatest that ever played. He can’t get there unless you allow him to be a sophisticated passer of the football. They've got the coach. They need more help at wide receiver. They need another tight end.
"Look at the talent that Brock Purdy has. Give Lamar Jackson that talent around him, ask him to be a sophisticated passer, and you will not be able to stop him in any shape or form."
Clark asked Young if he believes Jackson can truly be the greatest quarterback ever.
"It's hyperbole, but I want people to understand, what I'm saying is, you're seeing a player that has the potential to be as great as anyone we've ever seen play," Young said. "I really believe that. But he's missing a vital piece of that, and that's a sophisticated passer ... There's been a sea change in Baltimore's philosophy — and this was the transition year, again — so I expect next year to be an explosive year."
Jackson won a second MVP while throwing career-high pass attempts, passing yards, and posting a career-best completion percentage.
Of course, as Young alluded to, Jackson has come under fire for the Ravens' AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Jackson and the passing game struggled while the Ravens abandoned the run.
Although Young said the Ravens are changing their philosophy, it remains to be seen just how much. After all, one of the Ravens' biggest offseason moves was to bring in running back Derrick Henry. And the Ravens did not make any major moves to add wide receivers.
Jackson's passing game might take another step forward this season, but it seems that the Ravens and Jackson will ultimately be judged by what they do in the playoffs.
Watch Young's comments below:
I asked Steve Young about Lamar Jackson. I got some of the best insight I've heard on Lamar's season last year.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) June 13, 2024
“Obviously the championship game was a complete bummer but it doesn’t negate the advancement they’ve made as an organization to give Lamar Jackson the chance to be the… pic.twitter.com/UdI2RE1jSl
