QB LAMAR JACKSON
ESPN's Jamison Hensley: "For this MVP voting, there was really [no] debate over [the winner]. [Lamar Jackson]'s 45 yards passing away from his first-career 4,000-yard passing season. He broke his own franchise record with 39 touchdown passes, [with] only four interceptions by the way. Even though his mother wanted him to run the ball more against the Eagles, he still has run for over 850 yards for a fourth time, which is a Ravens record. Lamar Jackson was voted by the [Baltimore] local media as the Ravens team MVP."
Lamar Jackson Opening Statement: "Thank you guys. That means a lot. My home team – well this is my second home right here – so home team media. I owe this to my teammates and you guys. I appreciate you all a lot, definitely."
On being able to read the defense on his touchdown pass to TE Isaiah Likely in last week's game at Houston: "[It's] pretty much a feel for the game. [No.] 55, I believe, [Danielle Hunter]; I believe he was doing his job just trying to cut me off and stuff like that from turning up. I remember Mark [Andrews] going out of bounds [and] Zay Flowers going out of bounds, and [Isaiah] Likely was just doing what we work all the time – scramble drill. He [had] two defenders on him – a corner and a linebacker I believe. And I'm just trying to get space away from [No.] 55, because he was like a tall guy, and I believe if he would've just pulled me, he probably would've sacked me or something like that. So, I was just trying to stay as far away from him as I could but try to keep enough balance to get the throw off, and that's just all it was."
On if it feels like 2024 is already coming to an end: "It [doesn't]; It really [doesn't]. It [feels] like the season [is] just getting started. But yes, New Years Eve; New Years Eve."
On his most memorable memory of 2024: "There's a lot of memories from 2024. I don't think I have a standout [memory]. I don't have a standout. It's been a lot of blessings. I can't complain. [It was a] great year."
On if he has any New Year's resolutions: "Yes, but I'm [going to] try to keep it to myself." (laughter) "Yes."
On if he watches film more or less than in previous years of his career: "The same. I'm seeing the same things a lot [and] different ways, different teams, different opponents [and] different guys. Some guys leave [or] retire, some guys enter the league from college, some guys [are] on different teams, but it's pretty much the same way. And it's not really like me just trying to pinpoint them, it's me critiquing myself, too, from how they played me and how I can get better for the next time I play them."
On if he gets more out of watching film than he used to: "Yes; Yes definitely. When I was younger, it was like a terminology thing. Just entering the league and trying to get a feel for the terminology – the different terminology from college. Me being in my seventh year, a lot of things [are] slowing down, and I'm seeing things that I didn't see before."
On if it would be meaningful to break the single-season passer rating record: "If I'm in my childhood mindset [with] breaking a record, yes. But I'm trying to win games, so it really [doesn't] matter. If it happens, it happens. If it [doesn't, it] probably will happen sometime down the line."
On him using more pistol runs in recent weeks: "I believe it's just the scheme versus teams that make us change it up a bit. We've got to keep it balanced. We can't just go into a game – an NFL game at that – and just do the same thing from prior weeks. Teams will probably pinpoint, 'Oh they [are] doing this. When they do this [and] when they line up like this, they [are] doing this. [There's] only a couple routes out of this.' Stuff like that. So, we've got to change it up a bit."
On how WR Zay Flowers has been able to build off of his impressive rookie season: "I can't call it. When [Zay Flowers] entered the league last year he was the same. He just got that 'dog' in him. He just wants to be the best he can be. [He wants to] be the best receiver he can be in the league – the National Football League and just try to help his team win. Him being a young player, and what he brings to the table, that's what you need out of young guys. You need a lot of young guys to be the same way and have that same mindset that's they just want to win."
On how important his chemistry with WR Zay Flowers is to their success: "I believe it's part of the chemistry. You probably start knowing each other's thoughts sometimes with certain things – from field play and just watching highlights or something like that. Just the bonding outside of the field, and when we're on the field, it helps your team out a lot, I believe. That's just me."
On if the doubters still motivate him in Year Seven: "Yes. There is really nothing to talk about, for real. Just let us play football, but it is what it is. It's always going to be [like] that. When you're playing sports, there's always going to be talk of how good a player is, how bad a player is, he should be this [or] he should be that. It's going to always be that type of talk, so it is what it is. Just keep it up for me. It helps."
On if he likes having the first game of Week 18: "Yes, I'm cool with it. I'm cool with it. I believe from [after] that Christmas game, we had a mini bye, so I'm cool with just getting after it."
On how if he thinks his quarterback rushing record will be broken at some point: "Yes, I believe so. If it [does get broken], hats off to whoever does it, because records are meant to be broken. It's nothing to be mad about. It's just another guy, another one-of-one type of generational talented guy, I believe, if it happens."
C TYLER LINDERBAUM
ESPN's Jamison Hensley: "In addition to the Team MVP, we also give out a yearly award for the Media Good Guy, for the player who goes above and beyond to accommodate the media, as far as accessibility and as far as insight, as well. This year's winner – and we think there was some ballot stuffing from Jeff Zrebiec [The Athletic] – is Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum." (laughter)
On winning the Ravens' Media Good Guy Award: "I appreciate the nomination. Thanks for all of the work you guys do, except for you, Jeff [Zrebiec, The Athletic]." (laughter) "No, I'm kidding. I appreciate it – all the coverage you guys do for the team. We appreciate it."
On what OL Patrick Mekari will say about him winning the Media Good Guy Award: "Pat [Mekari] is probably not going to like it, so we'll have to have a discussion with him about it, but we'll be good." (Reporter: "Will he not like it because he thinks he should have won it?") "Probably a little bit of jealousy, would be my guess, but you never know with him."
On where he's seen the offensive line grow over the course of the season: "Yes, just each and every week, [we're] just seeing the improvements. One, it has to do with guys playing new positions, each and every game, learning something new, getting better, and then just credit to the guys working on their craft each and every day. Whether it's in walkthroughs, practice, we're trying to make each other better and pushing each other to be at our best. And of course, once we get to that postseason, you want to be hitting on all cylinders."
On how proud he is of the growth of the offensive line: "Yes, I'm very proud. It's a good group, a fun group, and then just all of the things that we went through in the preseason. Losing Joe D. [D'Alessandris] certainly hasn't been easy, but I think he'd be very proud of us. The way we play, the way we play the game [and] the way we approach the game, I think, is something he'd be proud of."
On what it means to have a chance to win the AFC North for a second-consecutive year: "It's a great opportunity; it's hard to come by. We get an opportunity to put our names up in these banners, so we just have to take advantage of every opportunity we're given, and we're positioned to make something special happen."
On if QB Lamar Jackson should win the MVP Award: "Yes, absolutely. I get to see [Lamar] Jackson every day [and] the things he's able to do, and then carrying it over to the game. He's just a special player. He's extremely fun to play with – just the things he's able to do – and think there's no one more deserving of that award than Lamar Jackson."
S Ar'DARIUS WASHINGTON
On how it feels to play a role in the Ravens' defensive turnaround and get recognition for the way he's performed: "I feel good. It makes you feel good – [it's] showing that I'm playing a part in the big turnaround that we've had this season – for sure."
On why he and S Kyle Hamilton have worked so well together in the back end: "Because of the communication we have. That's why I feel like it's been such a big deal – because of the communication we have out there on the field and off the field."
On if he assumed there would be strong communication between him and S Kyle Hamilton in the back end, or if that's been a pleasant surprise: "No, I kind of always knew it was going to be there. Kyle [Hamilton] wants to win. We want to go out there and compete and make plays and everything like that, and get guys lined up and help those guys out around us, and [help] each other. So, it wasn't a surprise at all."
On what he remembers about not being drafted and then signing with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2021: "Oh, man, not being drafted, it kind of just sent me in a dark place. So, then, when I got here, all I wanted to do was prove myself and go out there and play football. I was kind of down for about two months or so, I'll say, but then, when I got here, I just wanted to play ball and prove myself and go out there and ultimately become a starter, as I am now. Some injuries had come along the way and kind of stumped that, but now I'm here."
On if he even noticed defensive coordinator Zach Orr flying over the top of him after making a fourth-down stop of RB Joe Mixon: "No, no sir, I didn't even know [defensive coordinator Zach Orr] did that. We both kind of blacked out. When I talked to him about it, he blacked out, [and] I blacked out. I got to my phone ... A reporter asked me after the game, 'Did you see Zach or anything?' I was like, 'No, I didn't even see him.' So, I got back to my phone, and I checked; I said, 'Oh, this is what she was talking about.'" (laughter) "But at first, no, I didn't even see it."
