Marlon Humphrey, a Baltimore Ravens cornerback and teammate of quarterback Lamar Jackson, is preparing to transition into a media career after his <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL days. His first mission in this new path is to defend Lamar Jackson in the ongoing media criticism defense surrounding the quarterback’s leadership and legacy.
Though Humphrey is a year older than Jackson, he respects the quarterback highly. Jackson, a former 32nd overall draft pick, has proven himself as one of the top performers in the league, earning multiple NFL MVP awards and finishing as a runner-up for a third time in the 2023 season.
Unbalanced Criticism Over Jackson’s Playoff Performance and Leadership
Despite his regular-season success, Jackson faces persistent criticism for not winning a Super Bowl. The farthest the Ravens have gone under his leadership was the AFC Championship game during the 2023 season. Humphrey has observed that Jackson is often singled out unfairly by analysts and experts compared to other quarterbacks in the NFL.
While Humphrey recognizes that media critique is part of the profession, he feels the level of scrutiny aimed at Jackson exceeds that of nearly every other quarterback.
“There’s only like one or two that kinda get blamed for XYZ, and I feel like Lamar is always in that category. It is what it is… That’s probably the only thing that bothers me, but I do understand the media has to do their job.” —Marlon Humphrey told ESPN’s Kevin Clark
Humphrey’s concern intensifies when media members question Jackson’s leadership abilities. He emphasized his frustration with false narratives undermining the quarterback’s role within the Ravens team.
“There’s so many things that aren’t true.” —Marlon Humphrey
The Shadow Cast by Patrick Mahomes and Critical Voices Like Emmanuel Acho
Jackson’s challenges are amplified by comparisons to other elite quarterbacks, particularly Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes has reached five Super Bowls, winning three championships and nearly securing a fourth recently, which raises expectations for Jackson that remain unfulfilled.
Former Fox Sports analyst Emmanuel Acho openly critiqued Jackson for his playoff performance, arguing that while Jackson excels in regular season games, he has yet to demonstrate that same impact in the postseason.
“Lamar has to be special in the playoffs. He’s special in the regular season, but when you think about Josh Allen… 25 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in the playoffs, Patrick Mahomes—he goes without needing an introduction or statistics, Lamar gotta be special. He’s yet to be special in the playoffs, but Lamar has to be the difference maker, if the defense lets you down…if the offense lets you down…be the greater acer.” —Emmanuel Acho before being fired by the network
Potential Contract Extension and Future Outlook for Lamar Jackson and Marlon Humphrey
Looking ahead to the 2025 NFL season, significant developments may define both Jackson’s and Humphrey’s careers. Rumors indicate the Baltimore Ravens are planning to offer Lamar Jackson a record-setting contract, potentially making him the highest-paid quarterback in the league by exceeding Dak Prescott’s salary by $10 million annually.
Meanwhile, Humphrey himself is approaching a contract extension eligible year in 2026. His current five-year deal, signed in 2020, provided the most recent substantial financial commitment from the Ravens.
Humphrey’s Standing Among NFL Cornerbacks and Continued Performance
Marlon Humphrey, a two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, remains a top performer at cornerback. In the 2024 season, he totaled 67 combined tackles, 15 pass deflections, six interceptions, and forced two fumbles. Despite these impressive statistics, Humphrey did not make the top 10 cornerback list compiled by ESPN analyst Jeremy Fowler, which gathered input from NFL coaches and executives.
Instead, Humphrey received an honorable mention, underscoring the competitive depth at his position.
The top 10 NFL cornerbacks for 2024 according to Fowler’s list are:
- 1. Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos (Defensive Player of the Year)
- 2. Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans
- 3. Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns
- 4. Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs
- 5. Sauce Gardner, New York Jets
- 6. Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots
- 7. Jayce Horn, Carolina Panthers
- 8. Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
- 9. Quinyon Michel, Philadelphia Eagles
- 10. Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks
The Broader Impact of Media Criticism on Player Legacies and Team Dynamics
The attention focused on Lamar Jackson’s leadership and playoff achievements reflects a larger narrative about how media coverage shapes player reputations. Humprey’s defense highlights how narratives can overshadow athletes’ accomplishments and impact public perception.
The Ravens’ potential move to secure Jackson as the highest-paid quarterback could signal the franchise’s confidence in his leadership despite ongoing criticism. At the same time, Humphrey’s own career trajectory, including his contract negotiations and professional recognition, remain key storylines in a highly competitive NFL environment.
As the 2025 season develops, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how Jackson responds to media pressure and whether the Ravens can overcome past playoff hurdles, with Humphrey playing a pivotal role on defense.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is Lamar Jackson’s idol?
A. Lamar Jackson looks up to Michael Vick as his childhood football hero.
Q. Why did Lamar Jackson choose 8?
A. When Jackson began college at Louisville, he picked the number 8 for his jersey. His mom explained it symbolizes a fresh start.
Q. Does Lamar Jackson believe in God?
A. This verse is a favorite of the athlete. He believes his career is a blessing from God. He advises always putting God first, saying, without God, there wouldn’t be Lamar Jackson.
Q. Was Lamar Jackson a 3 star?
A. ESPN.com and 247Sports gave Jackson a three-star rating, while Rivals.com rated him with four stars.