Former Raven Defends Lamar Jackson Against 'Disappointing' Take

Longtime columnist Greg Cote's criticism of the Ravens QB draws backlash from ex-teammate Kyle Van Noy.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:05am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football game or match, with players and the field broken down into abstract shapes and planes of color in a cubist style, capturing the dynamic energy and competing perspectives surrounding Lamar Jackson's career.A cubist interpretation of the ongoing debate over Lamar Jackson's legacy and the pressure he faces to win a Super Bowl.Baltimore Today

Veteran Miami Herald columnist Greg Cote recently called Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson a 'career disappointment' on a national radio show, drawing heavy criticism on social media. Former Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who played with Jackson the last three seasons, fired back at Cote's take, defending Jackson's accomplishments and arguing that judging quarterbacks solely on Super Bowl wins is 'lazy' and 'plain dumb'.

Why it matters

Jackson has transformed the quarterback position with his dynamic dual-threat abilities, winning MVP awards and changing the way the NFL views the position. However, he has faced constant scrutiny and pressure to win a Super Bowl, which Van Noy argues is an unfair standard that ignores Jackson's individual greatness.

The details

Cote criticized Jackson for his 3-5 playoff record and lack of a Super Bowl title, saying 'the pressure is on Lamar Jackson to prove it in the postseason'. Van Noy responded on Twitter, pointing out that Jackson has already proven himself by winning two MVP awards and changing the game, despite facing doubts early in his career about whether he should play a different position. Van Noy argued that judging quarterbacks solely on Super Bowl rings is 'lazy' and 'plain dumb', and that Jackson has played better than other highly drafted QBs like Josh Allen and Sam Darnold.

  • Cote made his comments on The Dan LeBatard Show on April 9, 2026.
  • Van Noy's rebuttal tweets were posted on April 9, 2026.

The players

Lamar Jackson

The Baltimore Ravens' star quarterback, a two-time NFL MVP who has transformed the position with his dynamic dual-threat abilities.

Greg Cote

A veteran columnist for the Miami Herald who recently criticized Jackson as a 'career disappointment' on a national radio show.

Kyle Van Noy

A free agent linebacker who played for the Baltimore Ravens over the last three seasons and defended Jackson on social media.

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What they’re saying

“Can I ask why yall trying this narrative with pressure on Lamar when he already won the pressure argument! Yall started off his career by saying should he should play WR or RB?!? He said watch this and won a MVP not just once but 2x (should have been 3 that's for another day) !”

— Kyle Van Noy, Former Ravens Linebacker

“Basing your opinions on rings isn't just lazy, but plain dumb. Anyone can google 'past Super Bowl winners' anytime, anywhere.”

— Kyle Van Noy, Former Ravens Linebacker

What’s next

Jackson will look to lead the Ravens to a deep playoff run in 2026 after the team lost several key players in free agency, facing continued pressure to win a Super Bowl despite his individual accolades.

The takeaway

This episode highlights the unfair scrutiny Lamar Jackson faces, with pundits quick to dismiss his MVP-caliber play and focus solely on his lack of a Super Bowl title. As Van Noy argued, judging quarterbacks primarily on team success rather than individual merit is a flawed and 'lazy' approach that fails to appreciate Jackson's transformative impact on the game.