This week, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger caused quite a stir in the NFL world when he criticized Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for his accuracy in the pocket. But as it turns out, Jackson might actually be better than Roethlisberger.
During an appearance on his Footbahlin podcast this week, Ben Roethlisberger took a shot at Jackson’s accuracy throwing the ball, claiming that NFL teams “don’t fear Lamar’s accuracy all the time” while implying that he was only dangerous when he scrambles.
“You don’t really fear Lamar’s accuracy all the time. He’s got a huge arm, he can make things happen when he scrambles, but you don’t fear him just sitting in the pocket and picking you apart,” Roethlisberger said of Jackson’s throwing ability according to Steeler Depot. “You can bring safeties down because you do fear him running because he’s a different-level runner. So you fear that, so you bring safeties down.”
These comments certainly raised some eyebrows and it led one prominent sports reporter to pull out the stats and compare Roethlisberger’s accuracy in the pocket to Jackson’s. And as it turns out, Jackson is better.
ESPN has passer rating in the pocket dating back to 2009.
Lamar Jackson pocket passer rating, 2018-22: 97.9
Ben Roethlisberger pocket passer rating, 2009-21: 94.2(If you prefer QBR in the pocket: 64.9 for Jackson, 63.4 for Roethlisberger) https://t.co/bq8XB1ovYv
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) April 13, 2023
“ESPN has passer rating in the pocket dating back to 2009. Lamar Jackson pocket passer rating, 2018-22: 97.9 Ben Roethlisberger pocket passer rating, 2009-21: 94.2 (If you prefer QBR in the pocket: 64.9 for Jackson, 63.4 for Roethlisberger),” Barnwell said in a tweet.
So it sounds like Roethlisberger shouldn’t be criticizing Jackson’s accuracy in the pocket.
