Lamar Jackson Wins PFWA MVP: The Data Behind Baltimore’s Offensive Evolution
BALTIMORE — The Pro Football Writers of America have confirmed what the film already suggested: Lamar Jackson is the 2024 NFL MVP. By securing the PFWA’s top honor today, Jackson joins an elite group of multiple-time winners, but the metrics show this wasn’t just a repeat of his 2019 campaign. This was a total reimagining of how the quarterback position can be played.
This defensive duo is just getting started 😏 pic.twitter.com/XkmvqlbDod
— NFL (@NFL) February 7, 2026
The Evolution of the Pocket: Breaking Down the EPA
Jackson didn’t just beat teams with his legs this year; he dismantled them from the pocket. Under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson posted a career-high 3,822 passing yards. More importantly, his Expected Points Added (EPA) per dropback climbed into the top 1% of all active starters. Defenses attempted to “mush rush” and contain him, but Jackson countered by attacking the intermediate middle of the field at a blistering 68% success rate.
- Rushing Efficiency: While his total carries dropped, his yards per attempt stayed at a lethal 5.2, forcing defensive coordinators to keep a “spy” linebacker that opened up passing lanes for Zay Flowers.
- Red Zone Lethality: The Ravens converted 65.4% of their red zone trips into touchdowns, the second-highest mark in the league during the 2024 regular season.
- Third-Down Conversion: On 3rd-and-7 or longer, Jackson maintained a passer rating of 104.2, proving he no longer relies on scramble-drill chaos to move the chains.
The Salary Cap vs. The Super Bowl Window
There was plenty of noise when Jackson signed his $260 million extension, but this MVP season proves the investment was sound. Baltimore is currently operating in a high-leverage window. While Jackson’s cap hit is manageable now, it is scheduled to balloon in 2025. This puts immense pressure on the front office to hit on late-round draft picks to replace veteran departures. By winning the AFC’s top seed and this MVP award, Jackson has validated the team’s decision to build the entire infrastructure around his specific, dual-threat gravity.
Inside the Huddle
“The individual hardware is a credit to the guys in the trenches and the hours we spent in the film room. But we didn’t set out in July to win trophies that sit on a shelf. We want the one you pass around on a podium in February.” — Lamar Jackson, Ravens QB
The Bottom Line & What’s Next
The Ravens enter the postseason as the team to beat, and the data suggests they are more “blitz-proof” than in years past. Jackson’s improved processing speed against “zero coverage” has eliminated the one weakness that plagued him in previous playoff exits. Look for Baltimore to lean on “12 personnel” sets in the Divisional Round to force opponents into base defenses that simply cannot run with Jackson.
The mission now shifts from accolades to legacy. In the AFC, where Mahomes and Allen loom, Jackson’s MVP season provides the home-field advantage necessary to pave a path to the Super Bowl. If he maintains his current 2.8% turnover-worthy play rate, the rest of the conference is playing for second place.
