Peyton Manning Believes Lamar Jackson Will Get to the Super Bowl
Lamar Jackson's playoff resume has often been compared to Peyton Manning's when the Hall of Fame quarterback was at a similar point in his career.
Manning had the same 3-5 record as Jackson before winning it all in his seventh postseason and finishing with two Super Bowl championships and four Super Bowl appearances.
He believes Jackson (and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen) will get over the hump.
"I think Josh and Lamar will both get there," Manning said on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show," "but until then they will both have to own it, and they are doing it. They're not hiding from it, and I think their time will come."
Manning also said losing in the playoffs is better than not getting there at all.
"I would rather – and I think Josh Allen and Lamar feel the same way – have my heart ripped out in the AFC Championship by three points as opposed to finishing 7-10 and you probably smoke a cigar in the locker room after that last win because you're kind of in a good mood. The truth is you're a bad team and you're so far away," Manning said.
ESPN Predicts Kyle Hamilton's Next Contract Will Reset Safety Market
Kyle Hamiton has been one of the best safeties in the NFL and a cornerstone of the Ravens defense since they selected him in the first round in 2022, and he is eligible for a contract extension this offseason.
ESPN's Dan Graziano predicted the All-Pro's new deal will be four years, $88 million ($50 million guaranteed), which would reset the safety market in average annual value.
"Tampa Bay's Antoine Winfield Jr. did a favor for the rest of the safety market with his extension last offseason, pushing the top end to around $21 million per year," Graziano wrote. "Hamilton can and should expect to top Winfield whether his deal gets done this offseason or next."
Graziano said the only question is whether Hamilton, who is under team control for two more seasons, and the Ravens will reach an agreement on a contract extension this offseason or if it will happen next year. The Ravens will presumably pick up Hamilton's fifth-year option (keeping him under contract for 2026) by May 1 if an extension isn't reached before then.
"They'd have the ability to franchise Hamilton in 2027, and the franchise number for safeties is generally among the lowest in the league," Graziano wrote. "But it's not like Baltimore to do that with a franchise cornerstone player like Hamilton, so I would expect the Ravens to discuss a new deal this offseason."
In addition to Hamilton, other players from the Ravens' loaded 2022 draft class such as first-round center Tyler Linderbaum, defensive tackle Travis Jones, and tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar are also eligible for contract extensions this offseason.
Trade Proposal Has Ravens Acquiring All-Pro Safety
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport looked at potential trades that could have a significant impact on the 2025 season. One proposal has the Ravens acquiring safety Tyrann Mathieu from the New Orleans Saints for a fifth-round pick.
"There was a time when veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu would have cost potential suitors a lot more than a Day 3 pick," Davenport wrote. "Mathieu has been named a first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler three times each. He's a versatile safety who can stuff the run, hold his own in coverage and who has extensive experience in the slot. But Mathieu is 32, and Father Time is undefeated.
"It's not at all unfair to say he's lost a step. But 85 percent of Mathieu could be a big boost for the Ravens — and one that a cap-strapped Baltimore team can afford. If Mathieu could turn back the clock for Baltimore in 2025, he could be the most impactful trade of any of the moves featured here — or at least the one offering the most bang for the proverbial buck."
Mathieu would join a safety unit that already has versatile playmakers in Hamilton and Ar'Darius Washington. The Ravens want to generate more takeaways, and Mathieu has 36 career interceptions and four touchdowns.
In addition to being an outstanding player, Mathieu also has been durable. He hasn't missed a game the past three seasons and has played at least 15 games in eight consecutive seasons.
Pro Football Focus Says It's Highly Likely Ravens Return to Playoffs Next Season
The Ravens have been to the playoffs in six of the past seven seasons, and Pro Football Focus’ Zoltan Buday believes it's very likely to be seven of eight.
Buday looked at every 2024 playoff team's chances of returning to the postseason in 2025 and determined whether they were low, moderate, or high. The Ravens were among five teams given a "high" designation.
"The Ravens fielded arguably the most talented roster in the NFL in 2024," Buday wrote. "While Lamar Jackson's playoff performance and ball security have drawn scrutiny, he consistently proved during the regular season that he belongs in the top tier of quarterbacks. Over the past three regular seasons, his 94.6 PFF overall grade and 91.3 PFF passing grade both rank second among all quarterbacks in that span.
"Baltimore also retains Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken, who maximized the Ravens' passing attack in 2024. Additionally, Derrick Henry is set to return, further solidifying an offense that should once again be among the league's best."
The other teams given a high probability of returning to the playoffs were the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Texans. The archrival Pittsburgh Steelers were given a low chance.
"The Steelers took advantage of a relatively easy schedule in the first half of the 2024 season but struggled down the stretch, losing their final five games against tougher competition," Buday wrote.
Eli Manning Says Jackson Would Be His Pick in 'Kick of Destiny'
Jackson is second to none when it comes to a quarterback using his legs as well as his arm, and Eli Manning also has confidence in what Jackson could accomplish with his foot.
Eli, who will compete against his brother Peyton in the "Kick of Destiny" during the Super Bowl pregame show on Fox, was asked by FanDuel TV's Kay Adams which current NFL quarterback he would pick to win the field goal contest.
"I'll probably go with Lamar Jackson," Manning said on the "Up & Adams Show." "I want the athlete. He seems like he can probably do anything. He can run, he can throw, he can jump. He can probably kick as well."
