Once again, I know this sentiment goes against the grain of a collective internet community hungrily eyeing even any potential drama like Homer Simpson watching a rotating tube of meat at his local corner store, but let’s not turn Lamar Jackson into something he’s not. Please?
On Thursday, with Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens set to square off the Los Angeles Chargers in the latest “Harbaugh Bowl,” the reigning MVP was asked about his time with former offensive coordinator Greg Roman. These days, Roman is on the Chargers’ staff in the same role to help Justin Herbert become a more efficient quarterback.
Given some of the Ravens’ struggles toward the end of Roman’s tenure — Baltimore was eliminated in the wild-card round in 2022, while Jackson floundered (by his high standards) — a common misconception might be that Jackson harbors some kind of resentment toward Roman.
When Jackson took a long pause before answering the Roman question, the assumption was, of course, that he didn’t have anything nice to say at all.
You know what they say when you assume. You make an … oh, you know.
Lamar Jackson with a long hesitation when asked how he’d characterize his time with his former offensive coordinator Greg Roman pic.twitter.com/1WpnS5OaWC
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) November 21, 2024
Why would Jackson be bitter with Roman? This duo won a lot of ballgames together over four seasons. Jackson was one of the only unanimous MVPs in NFL history in Roman’s scheme and under his guidance. Unless there’s something I’m missing, I actually think it’s quite fair for a thoughtful human being — like Jackson appears to be — to take their time to respond to a question in a proper manner.
Plus, when has Jackson ever been one to air out his dirty laundry like this? Provide wholesale examples. Don’t worry, I’ll wait.
The sequel to the Harbaugh Bowl, which is on the Monday night of Thanksgiving week between two of the NFL’s best coaches, is cool and fun enough. In the case of Jackson and Roman, we don’t need to foresee and manufacture more drama than there already is.