Lamar Jackson named NFL MVP for 2019

Lamar Jackson (Darron Cummings, Google Images)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson of Pompano Beach, Florida was named the Associated Press Most Valuable Player on Saturday. Jackson becomes the first Ravens player in franchise history to win the award and the seventh straight year a quarterback has received the award. He follows in the footsteps of Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos, Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers, Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons, Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jackson led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes in 2019. He also completed 265 passes in 401 attempts for 3127 yards. However it was Jackson’s rushing mobility that also deserves high praise. Jackson had 1206 rushing yards in 2019. That not only led all quarterbacks, but was the sixth most rushing yards in the entire NFL. Jackson only trailed Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans, Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns, Christian McCaffrey of the Carolina Panthers, Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys and Chris Carson of the Seattle Seahawks.

Another Raven won a high profile award. John Harbaugh was named coach of the year. Other award winners included San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, who won the rookie of the year; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, who won the offensive player of the year; New England Patriots cornerback Stephen Gilmore, who won the defensive player of the year; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who won the offensive rookie of the year; and Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who won the comeback player of the year.