Cam Newton Says Ravens’ Lamar Jackson Is NFL’s Greatest Ever Dual-Threat QB

Julia StumbaughJuly 5, 2024

Perry Knotts/Getty Images

Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton does not believe he is the best dual-threat quarterback of all time.

Newton said on his 4th and 1 podcast that title belongs to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

4thand1show @4thand1showNO ONE ran with the combination of size & speed like @CameronNewton did in his prime https://t.co/SVpmhcZRAL pic.twitter.com/8NPQnq5UaZ

“Lamar’s style is a little different to mine,” Newton said. “He got big play, any play. He got speed that I never had, and he’s just electric.

“I played the game more powerful… I can run, but I might probably get caught. Vick, Lamar, they ain’t getting caught.”

Jackson earned his second career All-Pro nod while racking up 3,678 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, while adding 821 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, through 16 starts with the Ravens last season.

Newton said his top three dual-threat quarterbacks of all time were himself, Jackson and Michael Vick.

This is not the first time Newton has praised Jackson’s capabilities as a dual threat.

Newton said in 2018 that he had admired Jackson since he was a freshman at Louisville and was “excited” when the quarterback was drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens, Wick Eisenberg wrote for the team’s website.

“I’ll be trying to take some notes out of his book,” Newton said in 2018, per Eisenberg. “Very, very exceptional talent Lamar is. I’ve been watching him for a long time.”

Newton told ESPN’s Jamison Hensley in 2020 that Jackson was on the same tier as Vick, and this April predicted on the Club Shay Shay podcast that Jackson would win a Super Bowl before Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy or Joe Burrow.

Vick leads all NFL quarterbacks with 6,109 career rushing yards in 13 seasons, while Newton ranks just behind with 5,628 rushing yards in 11 seasons.

Behind them on the all-time leaderboard is Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson with 5,307 career rushing yards in 12 seasons.

Jackson has risen up to fourth on this list in just six campaigns by racking up 5,258 total rushing yards for the Baltimore Ravens. He is well within reach of recording the 852 yards he needs to break Vick’s all-time record in 2024.

Newton can remain secure, however, that his record of 75 touchdowns on the ground will stand for at least another season. Jackson needs to score 46 more before he can threaten to unseat the former Panthers star as the NFL’s all-time leader.