Colin Cowherd raises concerns about Lamar Jackson, Ravens after down season

The Baltimore Ravens are entering the upcoming season with a lot of pressure on their backs. While the 8-9 finish they had last season did not do much to boost confidence, there are still plenty of people who believe this is a team that can win at the top level. But there are some people, such as NFL analyst Colin Cowherd, who are not sold on either the Ravens or quarterback Lamar Jackson. 

Colin Cowherd points to multiple reasons for concern

On a recent episode of his show "The Herd," Cowherd had the following to say about Jackson and the Ravens.

"You know how hard it is to win 12 games in the AFC North? They've got a new head coach. The Ravens have a new offensive coordinator. They have a new defensive coordinator. And you and I all watched Lamar Jackson last year. He regressed. His rushing numbers went down to less than 30 yards a game. … They were 8-9 last year."

The implications go far beyond Jackson’s individual performance, though, as Baltimore features a new regime with a new head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator entering the year. Stability usually carries much weight in the NFL, especially given how tough the AFC North is. But Jackson remained the most prominent aspect of Cowherd’s argument. 

The former MVP’s stock has historically derived from his ability to be one of the most lethal rushing quarterbacks to ever exist in NFL history, and any slippage will naturally warrant scrutiny. 

When mixed with the team's sub-par record, Cowherd believes the warning flags are enough to put an inordinate amount of expectation into consideration for the 2026 season.

Lamar Jackson's 2025 numbers did decline from 2024

Why Cowherd reached that conclusion can easily be demonstrated by comparing Jackson’s 2024 and 2025 seasons. Jackson’s best overall season occurred in 2024 when he accounted for 4,172 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and four interceptions, in addition to 915 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 17 games. He averaged 53.8 rushing yards per game and had a league-leading 119.6 passer rating. 

Jackson was largely inconsistent in 2025 as he threw for only 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven picks over 13 games. 

He chipped in only 349 rushing yards and two rushing scores with 26.8 per game, which is considerably less than he did a year prior. Of course, statistics do not explain all situations, as injuries and change of scenery can all play a role. Even though the numbers do not scream elite 2024 output, they do paint a more consistent picture for Jackson over the last year. He still remains one of the best offensive weapons in the NFL.

Can Lamar Jackson silence the critics?

Cowherd's concerns are not without merit. The Ravens are coming off a losing season and face the challenge of integrating an entirely new coaching staff. At the same time, Jackson's track record suggests it would be unwise to assume his 2025 production represents a permanent decline.

The statistics support Cowherd's claim that Jackson's numbers regressed from 2024 to 2025. The bigger question entering the season is whether that drop was the beginning of a trend or simply the result of a turbulent year that the Ravens can put behind them.