Still Can’t Believe Lamar Jackson Didn’t Win MVP Last Season, His 2024 Highlights Prove Greatness That Fans Will Never Forget

In the ever-shifting narrative of the National Football League, certain stories seem impossible to write, and some results remain impossible to accept. For Baltimore Ravens fans, football purists, and those who witnessed week after week of electrifying play, the idea that Lamar Jackson was not crowned the league’s Most Valuable Player last season still feels like an outright robbery. The 2024 campaign was nothing short of remarkable, and for those who watched closely, his highlights speak louder than any official award announcement. Sometimes, greatness gets overlooked in favor of a different story, but those who truly know the game understand the reality—Lamar Jackson’s performance was MVP-caliber, regardless of what the record books say.

Lamar Jackson’s 2024 season was a masterclass in leadership, athleticism, and football IQ. From the first snap in September to the closing whistle of the postseason, he carried himself not just as the face of the Ravens but as one of the defining figures of the entire league. What separates Jackson from other greats isn’t simply his speed or his ability to escape the pocket—it’s the way he transforms games with a blend of improvisation and precision that no other quarterback can replicate. In 2024, this was on full display nearly every Sunday. Yet, despite the breathtaking numbers, the comeback wins, and the constant highlight reels, the MVP award slipped from his grasp.

To truly appreciate why this omission stings, you have to relive the season. Take the countless moments where Jackson turned broken plays into jaw-dropping touchdowns, where his legs kept drives alive when defenses thought they had Baltimore cornered, and where his arm silenced critics who once doubted his ability to throw with accuracy and consistency. The numbers piled up, the wins came, and the Ravens were feared across the league because of one man’s ability to redefine what was possible at the quarterback position. His 2024 highlight reel wasn’t just impressive—it was historic.

There were games where Lamar threw darts to his receivers in tight windows, proving once again that he has evolved far beyond the dual-threat label into a complete quarterback. Other weeks, he rushed for over 100 yards, making defenders look foolish as they lunged at empty air, unable to contain his elusiveness. What made it even more remarkable was his ability to balance both sides of his game without forcing one over the other. He wasn’t a runner pretending to be a passer, nor a passer who occasionally took off running. He was both, simultaneously, with a seamless transition between styles that kept opponents guessing and fans screaming with excitement.

The Ravens were not just winning; they were dominating. And when adversity struck, it was Jackson who provided the spark to rally his teammates. Leadership can’t be measured in passing yards or rushing touchdowns, but it was clear in how Baltimore rallied behind him, how he kept his composure under pressure, and how he refused to let the moment overwhelm him. When the Ravens faced their toughest challenges, Jackson thrived. His ability to make plays in the clutch—whether it was converting a crucial third down with his legs or delivering a perfect throw under duress—embodied exactly what an MVP should represent.

So why, then, was he overlooked? Some would argue that voter fatigue plays a role. Jackson had already won an MVP earlier in his career, and often the narrative-driven nature of awards pushes the spotlight onto someone new, even if their numbers don’t compare. Others suggest that because Lamar makes the extraordinary look routine, people stop appreciating the magnitude of his feats. When you consistently deliver greatness, it risks becoming normalized, and what would be career-defining for another quarterback becomes just another Sunday for Lamar Jackson. Unfortunately, that normalization may have cost him rightful recognition.

Another factor lies in perception. Some voters continue to struggle with the idea of a quarterback who breaks molds, who doesn’t fit neatly into the traditional pocket-passer archetype. Even though Jackson has proven beyond doubt that he is a complete and well-rounded quarterback, the remnants of outdated biases linger. Rather than celebrating the uniqueness of his style, some diminish it, suggesting that his reliance on mobility somehow makes his success less sustainable or less valuable. Yet time and again, Jackson has disproven that theory, extending his prime and refining his craft to silence doubters.

The truth is, MVP voting is as much about storylines as it is about performance. And last season, perhaps another player had a narrative that captured the voters’ imagination. But the essence of the award—Most Valuable Player—is not about whose story is more compelling; it’s about who meant the most to their team, who elevated those around them, and who changed the course of games with their presence. In all of those categories, Lamar Jackson was unmatched.

Still, awards do not define greatness. Fans, players, and analysts know what they saw. Social media buzzed every week with clips of Lamar breaking ankles, launching precise bombs downfield, and celebrating with teammates after improbable drives. Commentators ran out of adjectives to describe him. Opponents admitted, sometimes begrudgingly, that preparing for Jackson was unlike preparing for any other quarterback. He forced defensive coordinators to rethink their schemes, he tilted the field in ways few could match, and he made Baltimore a perennial contender. That impact doesn’t fade simply because a trophy wasn’t handed to him.

In fact, being overlooked may add fuel to the fire. If Lamar Jackson enters the upcoming season with a chip on his shoulder, the league should brace itself for an even more dangerous version of him. Great athletes often turn slights into motivation, and knowing Jackson’s competitive drive, this snub may ignite his pursuit of another historic campaign. For the Ravens, that means their leader is hungrier than ever, and for fans, it means more breathtaking performances to savor.

Looking back at his 2024 highlights, it’s impossible not to feel awe. Plays where he spun away from three defenders and found his receiver 40 yards downfield. Drives where he kept his cool under immense pressure, engineering comebacks that seemed improbable until he pulled them off. Touchdowns that left even his opponents shaking their heads in disbelief. Every reel of highlights tells the same story: this was an MVP season in every sense of the word.

What remains is the undeniable fact that Lamar Jackson has already carved out a legacy that will stand the test of time. MVP or not, he is one of the most thrilling, unique, and impactful quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen. Fans will tell their children about watching Lamar in his prime, about how he could change the course of a game in a single play, about how he made football feel magical in ways few others could.

Sometimes greatness doesn’t get the recognition it deserves in the moment. History, however, has a way of correcting itself. Years from now, when fans look back on the 2024 season, they won’t remember who won the MVP award nearly as much as they’ll remember the plays Lamar Jackson made. The highlight reels will still exist, the memories will still be vivid, and the conversations will still echo the same disbelief: how did Lamar Jackson not win MVP?

Real fans already know the truth. They saw what he did, they felt the energy he brought to the game, and they understand that titles and trophies only tell part of the story. Lamar Jackson’s greatness doesn’t require validation—it speaks for itself. The 2024 season proved that in resounding fashion. And while the MVP trophy may rest on someone else’s shelf, the respect, admiration, and awe that Jackson commands from those who watched him will endure forever.

Because sometimes, the official vote gets it wrong. But the fans? The fans never forget. Lamar Jackson’s 2024 was a season of brilliance, a season that deserves to be celebrated as MVP-worthy, regardless of what the record books say. And for those who still can’t believe he didn’t win, the highlights remain—each one a reminder of greatness that should never have been overlooked.