Former NFL tight end Logan Paulsen faced widespread backlash online for his comments about Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson following the Ravens’ impressive victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Jackson, known for his electrifying dual-threat capabilities, delivered a standout performance, completing 20-of-26 passes for 323 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 40 rushing yards.
Despite an early interception on the first drive, Jackson bounced back to lead the Ravens to victory.
Paulsen, a former Washington signee, seemed impressed by Jackson’s ability at the line of scrimmage, but his remarks didn’t sit well with many fans and analysts. During a post-game discussion, Paulsen commented, “I don’t know if anybody thought—I know I didn’t think it—that [Lamar] had that kind of ability at the line of scrimmage. It’s very similar to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, to just get you into the right look consistently. That’s super impressive.”
While comparing Jackson to all-time greats like Brady and Manning might seem complimentary on the surface, Paulsen’s suggestion that Jackson’s ability to read defenses and make decisions at the line was a surprising revelation to him drew sharp criticism. For many, the idea that Jackson—who is a two-time NFL MVP—didn’t already possess this fundamental skill was both baffling and insulting.
NFL analyst Jim Trotter captured the sentiment of many by responding to Paulsen’s comments with a thinking-face emoji, signaling confusion or disbelief. Social media was quick to pile on, with one user stating, “Players and coaches admitting they had no idea Lamar was great at reading coverages is an extremely embarrassing thing to admit. Making reads was never an issue for him, his throwing mechanics/accuracy was.”
Another user pointed out that Jackson had been excelling in reading defenses since his college days, adding, “Year 7, and these smooth brains had never watched an entire game of Lamar Jackson. At some point these ‘experts’ or ‘ex-players’ always tell on themselves. 8 was in a wishbone offense that was being glitched. After playing and operating at a high level in a pro-style offense (at Louisville).”
Many fans echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that Jackson’s ability to read defenses had been apparent since his college days at Louisville. One fan commented, “Anybody who has watched Lamar since Louisville knew he could identify coverages and read defenses. Logan can miss me with this.”
Despite the criticism, not everyone saw Paulsen’s remarks as disrespectful. ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes found his comments “really insightful,” highlighting that they underscored how Jackson’s skill set continues to evolve and impress even seasoned football minds.
Others pointed out that Paulsen’s comments could serve as a reminder of how well-rounded Jackson has become, seamlessly blending his dual-threat athleticism with a growing mastery of reading defenses and orchestrating the offense.
Jackson’s development as a quarterback, particularly his decision-making and ability to read coverages, has been a major factor in his continued success in the NFL. He has consistently silenced critics who once doubted his ability to thrive as a passer in the league, and his performance against the Commanders is just the latest example of his ability to shine in big moments.
As Jackson puts together yet another MVP-caliber season, it’s clear that many are finally taking notice of the complete quarterback he has become.
While Paulsen’s comments sparked controversy, they also highlighted the ongoing conversation about how Jackson’s game continues to evolve and challenge outdated perceptions of what a quarterback “should” look like in the NFL.
