Lamar Jackson, Anthony Richardson and the Commanders QB situation

Should Commanders bet on Lamar Jackson?

The verdict is completely in on Lamar Jackson.

Not on his health, I grant you. But on his ability to play quarterback in the NFL.

We don’t have to speculate. We have seen it with our own eyes. He has won an NFL MVP. His career completion percentage may only be slightly higher than that of Robert Griffin III or Daunte Culpepper, but a deeper dive reveals he is a far more productive passer.

Jackson’s yards per attempt is quite good. His interception percentage is well above-average and his touchdown percentage is elite. In other words, playing with an undermanned receiving corps, the former first-round pick has proven himself to be a very good passer. And of course, he is among the best runners in the history of the game.

Maybe most importantly, Jackson – despite playing with mediocre skill players on offense, and a defense that has bounced around from being pretty good to being average – has led his team to a record of 45-19 when he was the starter. That’s above elite.

Of the regular starters who played in 2022, only two men have a better career winning percentage. Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady. That’s the list. Not Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson. Not Matthew Stafford or Joe Burrow.

I know Jackson is an injury risk. He’s also 26 years old and one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. That’s a risk worth taking. Let someone else roll the dice with Anthony Richardson.

Despite the temptation, the Washington Commanders do have a quarterback on their roster with a career winning percentage of 1.000. And if they play the entire 2023 season with that man – Sam Howell – I’ll be okay with that. Even if this looks like a chance very few NFL teams should pass up.