How Many Years Lamar Jackson Been In The Nfl
So, you want to know how many years Lamar Jackson has been in the NFL? Grab a snack. Let’s dive into this fun, chaotic timeline. The short answer is six seasons—and counting—as of the 2023-24 campaign. But the real story? It’s way weirder and more awesome than just a number.
The Draft Night Heist
Lamar Jackson entered the league in 2018. The Baltimore Ravens snagged him with the 32nd pick—the very last pick of the first round. That’s like finding a diamond in the discount bin. Most teams thought he should switch to wide receiver. Oof. They were wrong, hilariously wrong.
His first season? He barely played. He sat behind Joe Flacco, learning the ropes. He only started seven games as a rookie. But when he did play? He threw for five touchdowns and ran for two more. A tiny taste of what was coming.
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The Magic Year: 2019
Then came his second season. The year the NFL had no idea what hit it. Lamar was named the unanimous MVP—the second player ever to do that (Tom Brady was the first). He ran for 1,206 yards as a quarterback. That’s more than most running backs. He also threw 36 touchdowns. The Ravens went 14-2. It was a video game come to life.
Remember the “Not bad for a running back” memes? They exploded. Lamar just shrugged and kept winning. He was only 22 years old that season. Most of us can’t even fold laundry at 22. He was breaking NFL records.
The Weird Middle Years
2020 was a pandemic year for everyone, including Lamar. He caught COVID-19 and missed a game. He still threw for 26 touchdowns and ran for 1,005 yards. But the Ravens lost in the playoffs. People started asking, “Is he a playoff choker?” Let’s not get dramatic.
2021 was rough. He suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 14. He still played through it for a while. He was on pace for another MVP before the injury. The Ravens missed the playoffs. The weird part? He hasn’t finished a full season since 2020. That’s three seasons of injury interruptions.
In 2022, he played 12 games but got hurt again (knee). The Ravens floundered. The contract drama started. Everyone wondered: “Is he worth a huge deal?” Then, in 2023, he shut them up. He signed a five-year, $260 million contract. The richest deal in NFL history at that time. And then he won his second MVP. Boom.
The Quirky Stuff You Didn’t Ask For
Lamar is the only player in NFL history with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons as a quarterback. Not one—three (2019, 2020, and 2021). He’s also the only QB to ever have 1,000+ rushing yards and 30+ passing touchdowns in the same season. He did it twice. It’s like watching a cheetah that can also throw a javelin.
Fun fact: He’s 2-4 in the playoffs. That’s not great. But in those six years, he’s carried a team that sometimes had zero receivers. His offensive line has been a revolving door. Yet he’s 59-19 in the regular season. That’s a .756 win percentage. Only Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady are better among active QBs. Insane.
Another oddity: He’s the youngest QB ever to win MVP (22 years, 353 days). But he’s also the only MVP to not appear in a Super Bowl yet. Critics love that fact. Fans hate it. It’s the spicy drama that keeps the NFL fun.
Why This Topic Rocks
Talking about Lamar’s years in the NFL is like watching a roller coaster that keeps adding loops. He’s been in the league for six seasons, but it feels like a decade of chaos. He’s already a legend, but he’s only 27 years old (as of early 2024). Quarterbacks often play into their late 30s. So we might have a decade more of this madness.
He’s also the only active QB to have a rap album released while playing. “Die For” is a banger, by the way. He also wears a custom necklace that says “Not Bad for a Running Back” with diamond footballs. He’s trolling us all. It’s perfect.
So, to Summarize:
6 seasons. 2 MVPs. 1 historic contract. Countless broken ankles (of defenders). Lamar Jackson has been in the NFL since 2018. He’s still here. He’s still running. He’s still making grown men look silly. And the best part? We don’t know what happens next. Will he finally win the Super Bowl? Will he invent a new way to run? Who knows. But it’s always fun to find out.
Now, go yell at your friends, “Six years! And he’s still just getting started!” Or don’t. But you now have the perfect trivia to drop at a party. You’re welcome.