The ongoing MVP debate featuring Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Buffalo Bills signal-caller Josh Allen has intensified throughout the 2024 NFL season. And with their two respective teams securing the No. 2 and 3 seeds in the AFC, it’s unlikely the debate will cool off in the build-up to when the winner is announced.
Not surprisingly, Ravens running back Derrick Henry is squarely in the corner of his backfield mate and has been very public about discussing his belief Jackson should win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award.
But while Henry continues to throw his support behind Jackson, it doesn’t mean the five-time Pro Bowler won’t give Allen his flowers also.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (left) and running back Derrick Henry (middle) talk to Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen (right).
Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Henry spoke about Jackson’s MVP case and showed Allen some love in the process, as Bobby Trosset of Ravens Vault highlighted.
“You can put anybody by Lamar, and they’re going to have a hell of a year,” Henry said. “It’s just the type of player that he is. My success shouldn’t knock his, or vice versa.”
“I’ve been seeing all the chatter. I forgot who said it — celebrate the two – him and Josh Allen. They both had a hell of a year this year,” Henry continued.
“I feel like Lamar, in his case, I feel like his stats can be even better. I feel like he’s the best player in the league, and it’s only going to get better from here. But I don’t feel like what I’ve done should hurt him. I feel like he’s helped me even more.”
Henry’s not wrong when pointing to the fact that both Jackson and Allen deserve tremendous praise for the seasons they’ve put together.
The two quarterbacks have had exceptional statistical seasons, and an argument could easily be made that neither team would be nearly as great as they’ve been this year without Jackson and Allen. The 2024 season has been the best statistical year of Jackson’s NFL career, as he’s topped the 4,000-yard passing mark for the first time while throwing for 4,172 yards.
Jackson threw an eye-opening 41 touchdown passes with just four interceptions while tacking on 915 rushing yards and four additional scores.
Allen was also a force both through the air and on the ground. He threw for 3,731 yards and 28 touchdowns while tossing a career-low number of interceptions (six). Allen also rushed for 12 scores and played much of the season without what many would argue is a clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver.
While the Bills struck a deal for Amari Cooper ahead of the NFL trade deadline, the five-time Pro Bowl wideout had a mostly quiet stretch to end the regular season in Buffalo. Cooper caught 20 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns with his new team over eight games.
