WATCH: Chris Russo gets into a verbal tussle with Stephen A. Smith while claiming Josh Allen is a better QB than Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson won the MVP Award last season.

WATCH: Chris Russo gets into a verbal tussle with Stephen A. Smith while claiming Josh Allen is a better QB than Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson (R), Josh Allen (L) and Chris Russo (Via Imago/X)

The NFL analysts often have their priorities when it comes to choosing quarterbacks. They pick their favorite ones and sometimes their paths do cross against each other. An incident of a similar tone happened in the recent episode of the show First Take where Stephen A. Smith and ‘Mad Dog’ Chris Russo were indulged in a heated discussion regarding the choice of quarterback.

In the show, Russo put Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills quarterback ahead of Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback. This triggered Stephen A. Smith, who is a big fan of Jackson. It was a surprising take from Russo as Jackson has won the MVP twice and despite being a frontrunner in the race, Allen has never won the MVP Award.

YouTube video

Russo said:

FS Video
The best quarterback in the league, in AFC, is Mahomes, the second best is Joe Burrow and the third best is Josh Allen.
Chris Russo said

As soon as he named Allen after Mahomes and Burrow, Stephen A. Smith refuted. Though he did not take any name, Russo understood quickly who he was opting for. After Molly Quinn confirmed it was Lamar Jackson, Russo started saying that he was not better than Allen.

Russo added: 

No way, he is not better than Josh Allen.
Chris Russo added

Rebutting that, Smith claimed that Lamar Jackson is better than Josh Allen. Russo’s answer to what Smith said was simple:

Has Lamar Jackson played as many playoff games as Josh Allen against the Kansas City Chiefs? Then how can he be better than Allen?
Chris Russo responded to Stephen A. Smith

Chriss Russo’s take was also confronted by Ryan Clark who said that Allen’s play has never elevated the cause of his team. Russo did not seem convinced as he kept rallying behind his preferred quarterback. It was a heated discussion between him and his co-panelists on the show.

Lamar Jackson’s last season was stellar but frustrating

Lamar Jackson had a tumultuous 2023-24 season. His performance peaked and he was at his best by bulldozing big names in the regular season. With his phenomenal individual performance, Jackson was awarded the ‘Most Valuable Player’ Award. The Baltimore Ravens achieved the number 1 spot in the AFC Conference and reached the AFC Championship Game only to lose against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jackson was seen in tears after the Ravens failed to make it to the Super Bowl.

Nevertheless, the performance of his team did not create an impact on his MVP Award. Allen was also a frontrunner in the race for his performance in the early and late run of the league. But he failed to win it.

Lamar Jackson holding the NFL MVP trophy
Lamar Jackson holding the NFL MVP trophy (Via SI)

In the next season, Lamar Jackson will be looking forward to going the distance. With the signing of Derrick Henry, the offense will provide loads of threats to others as the defense is already very strong. It is to be seen, whether he manages to win the Super Bowl.

In case you missed it: