"Not been good enough": 3x Super Bowl champ calls out Lamar Jackson over 'awful' playoffs record

Lamar Jackson's past playoff performances have drawn sharp criticism from NFL veteran Mark Schlereth. The Ravens quarterback's postseason struggles stand in stark contrast to his regular-season brilliance. This regular season, he is even poised for a potential third MVP award.

Schlereth, a three-time Super Bowl champion turned analyst, has built a reputation for his candid assessments of NFL quarterbacks.

Speaking on the Breakfast Ball Show on Wednesday, Schlereth didn't hold back in his assessment of Jackson's playoff record. His comments come just days before the Ravens' wild-card matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers:

"His performance in the playoffs has just flat out not been good enough. He has not been the same quarterback. This is a two time MVP who's 2-4 in his playoff experience.

"His 57% completion percentage, which is abysmal in today's game when every rule is bent toward you throwing the football and having success throwing the football. 57% is awful."

The numbers support Schlereth's critique. Since 2018, Lamar Jackson holds the NFL's fourth-best regular-season record (70-24) but is tied for the worst postseason mark (2-4). His playoff struggles include six turnovers compared to six passing touchdowns.

Lamar Jackson's pressure to perform

Cleveland Browns v Baltimore Ravens - Source: Getty

The Ravens have worked to ease Lamar Jackson's playoff burden. They've added Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum and rookie tackle Roger Rosengarten. Most notably, they added running back Derrick Henry, who rushed for 1,921 yards this season.

Henry himself defended Jackson against critics on Tuesday:

"You can put anybody by Lamar, and they're going to have a hell of a year. That's just the type of player he is. My success shouldn't knock his or vice versa. I feel like he's the best player in the league."

As Jackson prepares for Saturday's game against the Steelers, he carries both the weight of past playoff disappointments and the promise of new opportunities.

His regular-season achievements show his evolution as a quarterback. This included becoming the first player to throw more than 40 touchdown passes (41) with fewer than five interceptions (four) in a season. Now, the question remains: Can he translate that growth into postseason success?