Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is no stranger to breaking records and is considered one of the best rushing quarterbacks ever in the NFL, despite being in just his third season in the league. But with yet another notch on the rushing-quarterbacks list within reach, Jackson’s legacy is set to grow once again.
Jackson has rushed for 2,694 yards so far this season, which ranks 14th all-time for career rushing yards among quarterbacks in NFL history. Jackson is now on pace to pass Jim Harbaugh’s 2,787 rushing yards mark (13th all-time) this season, and could do so as early as this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. After rushing for 124 yards and two touchdowns in little more than three quarters of play last week, the 95-yard difference between Harbaugh and Jackson looks like child’s play.
Harbaugh played for five teams in the NFL from 1987-2001, including a season with the Baltimore Ravens in 1998. He had his best rushing season in 1991 with the Chicago Bears, rushing for 338 yards in that season. In comparison, Jackson has 793 rushing yards entering Week 15, surpassing Harbaugh’s 338 by Week 6.
Jackson could also move into 12th all-time for rushing yards by a quarterback before the season ends. Kordell Stewart currently sits 12th all-time with 2,874 rushing yards by a quarterback (180 yards above Jackson). Stewart played for three teams in the NFL from 1995-2005 including two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens in 2004 and 2005. He had his best rushing season in 2001 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, rushing for 537 yards that season — A mark Jackson surpassed in Week 11 this season.
The top five all-time rushing quarterbacks in NFL history include Michael Vick (6,109 yards), Cam Newton (5,257 yards), Randall Cunningham (4,928 yards), Russell Wilson (4,416 yards), and Steve Young (4,239 yards). Jackson would pass Vick before the end of 2024 (he’d be just 27 years old and in his seventh season) if he continues to average 62.7 yards per game.
Coming off a sensational season in 2019, Jackson surpassed Michael Vick’s record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a season by Week 15. Jackson would finish the season with 1,206 rushing yards. While Jackson’s rushing numbers are not compared to what they were a season ago, he still manages to break free from defenders and run for big gains more often than not.
All Jackson’s carries are not designed but they are a major part of the Ravens’ offense that has helped them win games over the last two seasons. Expect Jackson to continue pounding the ball and maybe one season hold the record for most rushes and rushing yards by a quarterback in NFL history.
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