Let’s be honest: keeping track of time in the NFL can feel like trying to remember how old your favorite pair of sneakers is. You know you’ve had them for a while, but the exact date? That’s a blur of touchdowns and laundry. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How many years has Lamar Jackson been in the NFL?” you’re not alone.
Lamar Jackson entered the league in 2018, which means as of the 2024 season, he’s been dazzling us for seven seasons. That’s right—seven years of stiff-arms, no-look passes, and dancing through defenses like you dance around your kitchen while waiting for coffee to brew. Time flies when you’re having fun, and Lamar has made the NFL very fun.
From “Who’s That?” to “Oh, That’s Him!”
I remember the 2018 draft like it was yesterday. You had quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold getting all the hype, and then there was Lamar—a kid from Louisville who ran like a gazelle and threw darts. People kept saying, “Can he be a quarterback in the NFL?” which was the sports-world equivalent of asking if that new bakery can actually make a decent croissant.
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Fast-forward to his rookie year, and Lamar was mostly backing up Joe Flacco. But by mid-season, the Ravens handed him the keys, and boom—the league changed gears. He was like that friend who shows up to potluck with a dish so good everyone forgets they brought store-bought cookies. Suddenly, nobody was questioning if he could be a quarterback; they were asking how to stop him.
The MVP Years (And Why You Should Care)
Here’s where it gets even more interesting. By his second full season as a starter (2019), Lamar didn’t just play well; he played like he was challenging the laws of physics. He threw for 36 touchdowns, ran for over 1,200 yards, and became the unanimous MVP. That’s like acing a test, getting a standing ovation, and winning the lottery all in the same week.
Now, you might be thinking, “Okay, cool, but why should I care about how many years he’s been in the league?” Well, think about it this way: seven years is roughly the time it takes to go from college freshman to a full-time job with a 401(k). In football years, that’s an eternity. Yet Lamar is still only 27 years old, which means he’s just hitting his prime—like that song you loved in high school that somehow sounds even better now.
Inside Lamar Jackson's playoff record and stats: How many wins does
Take a moment to appreciate that most NFL careers last about 3.3 years on average. Lamar has already doubled that, and he’s still making defenders miss. It’s like your phone battery lasting longer than promised, or your favorite hoodie still looking new after a hundred washes. That’s rare, and it’s worth celebrating.
A Little History for Your Morning Coffee
Let’s break it down month-by-month, because I know you love a good timeline. Lamar joined the Ravens in April 2018, played his first regular-season game that September, and by December of the same year, he had his first start. Since then, he’s led the Ravens to the playoffs five times in six seasons. That’s consistency you can set your watch to—if your watch was powered by electric slides and touchdown dances.
And here’s a fun little comparison: would you rather have a 2018 car that still runs like a dream, or a 2024 model that already has a check-engine light? Lamar is the 2018 car with zero mileage, somehow getting faster every season. He’s the reliable friend who still picks up the phone at 2 a.m., except his calls come with 40-yard bombs.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson Named NFL MVP For Second Time In Six-Year
Why Seven Feels Like a Big Deal
Seven years in the NFL isn’t just a number; it’s a badge of honor. It means you’ve survived injuries, scheme changes, and those brutal weeks where you’re playing on a Tuesday because the league decided to rearrange the calendar. For Lamar, it also means he’s rewritten the playbook for what a quarterback can be. He’s the guy who made the “running quarterback” label a compliment, not a question mark.
Think about your own life: seven years ago, you might have been in a different job, a different city, or a different relationship. Lamar has spent those same seven years perfecting his craft while fans like us get to watch. It’s like having a front-row seat to a masterpiece, except the masterpiece also does backflips.
The Future? Still Wide Open
Here’s the kicker: Lamar is still here, still improving, and still making us say, “How did he do that?” His 2023 season ended with a second MVP award, but more importantly, he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Seven years in, he’s like that reliable internet connection that somehow gets faster during a storm.
So the next time someone asks, “How many years has Lamar Jackson been in the NFL?” you can smile and say, “Seven magical ones.” And then you can add, “And he’s just getting started.” Because in a league where careers are short and attention spans are shorter, Lamar Jackson has given us seven years of pure, joyful chaos—and that’s a gift worth remembering every single Sunday.