Lamar Jackson Explains Why He's Running Less in 2025

What Happened

Lamar Jackson addressed the noticeable dip in his rushing numbers this season, and according to the Ravens quarterback, it's not a philosophical shift or a coaching mandate — it's his body. Jackson told reporters that lingering injury concerns have kept him from tucking the ball and taking off the way he has in years past, when his legs were as much a weapon as his arm.

For a player whose entire NFL identity was built on turning busted plays into 15-yard scrambles, this is a meaningful admission. Jackson has historically ranked among the league leaders in QB rushing yards, and defenses have had to game-plan around his mobility since his rookie season. A drop in designed runs and scrambles changes how opposing coordinators approach containing him.

Why the Change Matters

Jackson's rushing ability isn't just a highlight-reel feature — it's a structural part of Baltimore's offense. Play designs, run-pass options, and even protection schemes are built around the threat of him pulling the ball down. If he's running less, either by choice or physical necessity, the Ravens' offensive coordinator has to lean harder on the passing game and traditional running backs to manufacture the same explosiveness.

That shift also affects how Jackson is used in short-yardage and red-zone situations, areas where his legs have historically bailed out stalled drives. If he's more of a pure pocket passer for stretches this season, Baltimore's margin for error on third downs and goal-to-go situations gets thinner.

What's Next for Jackson and the Ravens

The bigger question is whether this is a temporary dip tied to specific injuries or the start of a longer trend as Jackson, now several seasons into his career, manages the wear-and-tear that comes with a run-heavy quarterback style. Plenty of mobile quarterbacks before him have gradually shifted toward pocket passing as their bodies absorb more hits.

For now, Jackson insists this is about health, not evolution. Ravens fans will be watching closely to see if his rushing numbers climb back up as the season progresses and any injury concerns fade, or if this marks a genuine adjustment in how Baltimore's most electric weapon operates going forward.