Lamar Jackson admits he is more focused on winning games than breaking records (Image: Getty)
Lamar Jackson has admitted that he isn’t “childishly” dreaming to break Aaron Rodgers’ record, but is instead more focused on winning games with his team. The Baltimore Ravens will take on the Cleveland Browns this weekend, and Jackson has the opportunity to break a record that is over 10 years old.
The all-time record for highest passer rating in a season is 122.5, which was set by Rodgers at the Green Bay Packers in 2011. Now, more than 14 years later, Jackson will be able to break this record if he has a good game against the .
The 27-year-old has a current passer rating of 121.6, less than a point away from the current record. However, Jackson said that despite dreaming of things like smashing records as a kid, he is more focused on beating the Browns and clinching the AFC North division title – speaking to his winning mentality and team-over-self mindset.
Speaking ahead of the week 18 match-up, Jackson said: “If I’m in my childhood mindset [with] breaking a record, yes. But I’m trying to win games, so it really [doesn’t] matter. If it happens, it happens. If it [doesn’t, it] probably will happen sometime down the line.”
While the passer rating isn’t a total encapsulation of how good a quarterback can be, it is a bench mark for how well they can perform within their team – and Jackson is no exception. With an 11-5 record, the 27-year-old is tied second with Baker Mayfield for the most touchdowns so far this season, and has thrown just four interceptions.
His recent performances has earned the quarterback some calls for the MVP this season, as the Ravens are sitting comfortably in the third seed of the AFC play-off race.
Rodgers currently holds the passer rating record from his time in Green Bay (Image: Getty)
During an episode of the “Scoop City” podcast, NFL reporter Dianna Russini explained why she believes that Jackson should take the prestigious accolade for his work in Baltimore this season. She said: “I am leaning Lamar. I don’t think Josh Allen did anything this weekend to make me go, ‘OK, he stole this thing.”
Former NFL icon Rob Gronkowski has also pled his case for Jackson’s MVP year, as he told the rest of the FOX NFL Sunday panel that the quarterback reminds him of Tom Brady. The 35-year-old said: “I’ve played with a quarterback (Tom Brady) who has won multiple MVPs, so I know what it looks like.
“And it looks like the guy in Baltimore – Lamar Jackson. He is the most entertaining quarterback in the league right now, he bedazzles every time he has the ball in his hands, he makes guys miss left and right, he’s just so fun to watch.
“And on top of it, the Baltimore Ravens, their identity is to run the ball. 55 per cent run, 45 per cent pass. And Lamar Jackson still leads the league in passing yards. He is numero uno.”