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Is Lamar Jackson the greatest 22-year-old in NFL History?

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson takes off in the open field. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire)

Jeremy Jones

December 5th, 2019

Lamar Jackson is the best story of the NFL season. He is 10-2 this season and 16-3 overall as a starter in the NFL. Jackson is on pace for 3,376 passing yards, 1,302 rushing yards and 43 total touchdowns. The Baltimore quarterback continues to make defenses look silly with both his legs and his arms.
All this and he is only 22 years old. Jackson is the runaway favorite (-360) to become the youngest NFL MVP since Jim Brown won at age 21 in 1957. Let's look at the other five greatest seasons in NFL history from 22-year-olds and compare Jackson at the end.

5. Ronnie Lott, DB, 1981

Lott's debut in 1981 is considered one of the greatest rookie seasons of all time. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro. Lott also helped lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl title, with two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) in the playoffs. He had seven interceptions in the regular season and returned three for touchdowns.

4. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, 2004

Big Ben started his pro career in 2004, when he entered the Pittsburgh starting lineup to replace the injured Tommy Maddox. Roethlisberger never looked back, as he led the Steelers to 13 straight victories to finish the regular season 15-1. Roethlisberger did not put up massive numbers—2,621 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions—but he set a winning mentality, took his team to the AFC Championship Game as a rookie and only lost to Tom Brady.

3. Edgerrin James, RB, 2000

The Edge followed up his stellar rookie season in 1999 with an even better sophomore year for the Colts. James rushed for a career-high 1,709 yards and 13 touchdowns. He added 594 receiving yards on 63 catches and five more touchdowns. At the time it was the fifth-highest total yards from scrimmage yards in NFL history, and he was the only player to do so at an age younger than 25. That number remains in the top 10 today. He helped lead an extremely young Colts team to a 10-6 season and a playoff appearance.

2. Gale Sayers, RB, 1965

It is unfair to label Sayers as just a running back. The man did it all for the Bears in 1965. Sayers ran the ball for 867 yards and 14 touchdowns. He caught 29 passes for 507 yards and six touchdowns. He also returned 16 punts for 238 yards and a touchdown, and returned 21 kicks for 660 yards and a touchdown. He also completed two passes for 53 yards and a touchdown! This was all in just 11 games, as Sayers took over the starting job after the Bears got off to a 0-3 start. He helped lead the team to finish the season on a 9-2 run.

1. Jim Brown, RB, 1958

Brown is the only 22-year old to win the NFL MVP. He put up 1,527 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in just 12 games. He also added 138 yards receiving and a touchdown. The greatest running back to play the game got his career started off right with this amazing sophomore year, with a Pro Bowl selection and a first-team All-Pro honor to go with his MVP. It is hard to compare anyone to the great Jim Brown in general, but it is especially hard considering only 22-year-old seasons.

Where does Jackson stand?

There is no doubt Jackson belongs on this list. He should join Brown as the only players to ever win the MVP award at the age of 22, and he has a great chance to add a Super Bowl ring to the résumé.

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