Ravens Rookie QB Defends Lamar: ‘They Hate What They Can’t Control’

Baltimore, MD – July 28, 2025

The Ravens entered training camp this year with the weight of expectation pressing down harder than ever. After a heartbreaking playoff exit last season, all eyes are back on the man under center — Lamar Jackson. He’s a former MVP, the face of the franchise, and yet again, the subject of relentless criticism.

The takes are familiar by now. “He can’t win the big one.” “He runs too much.” “He’s not a traditional quarterback.” Across podcasts, broadcasts, and social feeds, the same questions get recycled, often louder than the facts: back-to-back AFC Championship appearances, career-best passer rating, and a locker room that swears by him.

Still, the noise persists. And this time, it wasn’t a veteran or coach who cut through it — it was a rookie. Not someone with a starting job or media spotlight, but a quiet name on the roster sheet who had something to say.

That name is Devin Leary, an undrafted quarterback out of Kentucky State, fighting for a backup role behind Jackson. Soft-spoken off the field but competitive to the bone, Leary stunned the Ravens media circle when he stepped up to defend his quarterback — not with stats, but with something stronger: conviction.

“They don’t hate Lamar because of how he plays. They hate him because they can’t control him,” Leary said. “He doesn’t fit their mold, doesn’t say what they want to hear, and still wins. That bothers people who’ve never had to lead through chaos. But in this locker room, we don’t question that man. We follow him.”

The words traveled fast, especially in a city where loyalty is earned through grit, not headlines. Players nodded. Reporters leaned in. Fans on social media flooded timelines with fire emojis and purple hearts. The statement hit a nerve — and struck gold.

Leary, who’s been praised by coaches for his poise and preparation, may still be learning Baltimore’s offense. But his understanding of the team’s soul is already clear. In a franchise built on defying expectations, he fits right in.

For Lamar, the message was simple. “That’s a real teammate,” he said after practice. “You don’t have to be a starter to stand tall.”

It may not show up in the box score. It may not earn him a starting job. But Devin Leary’s words echoed through Owings Mills louder than any deep ball could. And in a city that values heart over hype, that might be the most powerful play of his young career.