Patrick Mahomes vs Lamar Jackson – It seems like a crazy question to even ask, but who is the better quarterback: Patrick Mahomes vs Lamar Jackson? From the standpoint of a very biased Kansas City Chiefs fan, the answer is obvious. Plus, the more I think about it, the answer is still obvious.
So, why even consider the question? Mainly because others are asking the question and some are saying Lamar’s the better QB. Take this Bleacher Report article for example. One that has asked seven of its NFL Staff members who is better and 3 came out on the side of Lamar Jackson. It’s hard to believe that anyone would take him over the current Super Bowl MVP, but that’s why they play the game, or in this case, why they ask such questions.
The name of the Bleacher Report article is: “B/R NFL Staff Roundtable: Who Would You Rather Have, Mahomes or Lamar?” Not to call out any names specifically but……… since these three NFL writer’s chose Jackson:
- Tyler Dunne
- Mike Freeman
- Brent Sobleski
… we might as well take what they’ve said, one misinformed writer at a time, and see if there’s any legitimacy in their point of view.
Bleacher Report’s Tyler Dunne says of Lamar Jackson:
“His raw speed and jukability as a runner is ridiculous—his physical gifts are unprecedented. There’s no sign that anyone can stop Jackson in the open field, and the massive jump he made as a passer from year one to year two suggests he’ll only get better through the air.”
Dunne has the perception that a running quarterback is going to be able to sustain health over the life of his career. I think that’s a faulty notion and while Jackson may have better feet than Mahomes, there’s a downside to that. Instead of staying in the pocket and finding an open receiver, he’ll opt for the run too many times essentially taking the efforts of his WRs out of the equation. That makes the game all about him… and not about the team.
Dunne goes on to say:
“Just as LeBron James developed a jump shot and blossomed into the NBA’s best player of this era (and No. 1 or No. 2 in history), if Jackson keeps improving as a passer, look out. He can have the same impact.”
Comparing Jackson to LeBron is a huge mistake, especially after one MVP season. Then, basing that upon, “if Jackson keeps improving as a passer” makes his statement an embarrassment.
So, let’s take a look at Bleacher Report’s’ Mike Freeman and his accolades for Jackson:
“Mahomes is an excellent athlete, but Jackson is something unique. He may be the best pure athlete in the sport, and when things break down, or receivers are covered, that athleticism can change the game in an instant.”
Huh??? When things break down… Jackson is better than Mahomes??? Pro Football Focus rates Patrick Mahomes at the number one QB outside of the pocket in 2018 and number two in 2019. Jackson was nowhere to be found in 2018 and ranked #5 in 2019. When things break down… is exactly when Patrick Mahomes becomes a far superior QB and also when… Jackson turns into a running back. A very good one mind you… but a RB nonetheless.
Now let’s take a look at what Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski has said about Lamar Jackson:
“As good as Mahomes is—and he’s great—it’s hard to see him improving upon the type of numbers we’ve already seen. Whereas Jackson hasn’t come close to realizing his full potential as a passer. The reigning NFL MVP will continue to refine his footwork and mechanics while becoming more adept at reading defenses.”
It’s hard to see Mahomes improving? Why does anyone assume Patrick Mahomes has already hit his ceiling? Because he had fewer yards and TDs in 2019 than in 2018? Wasn’t 2019 a season in which missed two and a half games and… and… still won a Super Bowl?
Comparing Stats
Since Brent Sobleski has brought up the idea that Mahomes has already topped-out let’s take a look at each player’s stats:
While Jackson appears to be a very good QB, he is nowhere in the stratosphere where Patrick Mahomes resides. Sure, he can run the ball with the best QBs to ever run it, like Michael Vick. However, comparing Jackson to Mahomes is like comparing Vick to Peyton Manning or Tom Brady… only, I think Mahomes is better than those two. If Jackson ever wins a Super Bowl, and I’m not saying that’s not a possibility, then we can revisit the question but comparing a Super Bowl MVP with all the upside in the universe (including a coach who nurtures QBs)… to a running QB whose best trait is, well, running the ball… then it seems like a non-starter question to me.
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One plus for Mahomes is that he’s 2-and-0 against his rival QB. One plus for Jackson is the draft picks they acquired. Patrick Queen was the best traditional LB in the draft and the selection of WR Devin Duvernay with their 92nd pick overall was a good one as well and should help him down the road. From ESPN:
“… the Ravens land one of the draft’s best slot receivers in Duvernay, who was one of the fastest at the NFL combine (4.39 in the 40). He will make life easier for Jackson because he excels at taking short passes and turning them into big plays. His 44 catches on screens or quick passes last year were the fourth-most in the FBS, and his 28 missed tackles last season were the third-most in the FBS.”
Jackson also improved his completion percentage rate from 2018 (58.2%) to 2019 (66.1%). Lamar Jackson’s ability to run with the ball may appear to most, as a distinct advantage, but to me, it looks like it could be his Achilles heel. If he continues to opt out whenever he has pressure in his face, he’ll show DCs of the NFL how to beat the Ravens. If he can learn to stay in the pocket — which is like trying to teach a duck to stay out of the water — then he has a chance to one day be mentioned in the same breath as Patrick Mahomes. Until then… sorry Charlie, Starkist wants Tuna’s that taste good, not Tuna’s with good taste.
Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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