Ravens Star Sends Message Loud and Clear: Doubt Lamar Jackson, Regret It All Season Long

Baltimore, MD – July 15, 2025

Every summer, the same tired narratives resurface — and somehow, they always land on Lamar Jackson. Despite winning an MVP, carrying the Ravens through injury-plagued seasons, and rewriting the rules for modern quarterbacks, Lamar still finds himself disrespected on national rankings. Slotted behind flashier names, quarterbacks with less hardware and less heart.

To Baltimore, it's insulting.
To the Ravens’ locker room, it’s fuel.

And this offseason, Roquan Smith had enough.

"If you doubt Lamar, you’re not watching football — you’re watching your own bias. This man is the most dangerous player in the league, and we’re about to remind everybody why,” Smith said following a team workout, his voice cold and cutting.

The quote exploded online. Not just for its fire — but for its truth.

Roquan wasn’t just speaking as a linebacker. He was speaking as a leader. A man who’s shared the battlefield with Jackson, seen how he commands huddles, how he lifts teammates through silence and storms. In Baltimore, there’s no debate: Lamar is that guy.

And yet, from the networks to the podcasts, analysts continue to rank him below quarterbacks who’ve never hoisted MVP trophies, never carried a franchise on their shoulders week after week. It’s not just disrespect — it’s ignorance dressed as analysis.

Lamar, of course, hasn’t said a word.
He never does.

He just trains. Works. Leads.
While the football world scrolls and speculates, Jackson sharpens his focus — and this year, he's surrounded by the most complete Ravens roster in years.

With Derrick Henry behind him, Zay Flowers ready to explode in Year 2, and a defense led by Roquan himself, Baltimore isn’t chasing validation — they’re hunting for a Super Bowl.

"Lamar’s been quiet long enough," Smith continued. "So I’ll be loud for him. If anyone out there wants to test him, test us — you’ll find out real quick who runs this league."

This isn’t just loyalty.
It’s a warning.

The Ravens have seen enough talk. They’re done reading rankings.
They're not out to earn respect.

They’re here to take it.

Stay tuned to ESPN.