Two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson has officially confirmed that a jersey number change is coming to Baltimore. However, it has a huge if attached to it. During an appearance on the Ravens’ official podcast, The Lounge, Jackson revealed his plan to follow in the footsteps of NBA legend Kobe Bryant by retiring two separate numbers with one franchise.
Lamar Jackson’s Condition For Jersey Number Change
Jackson, who has worn No. 8 throughout his tenure with the Ravens and his Heisman-winning career at Louisville, revealed that he intends to switch to No. 1 after he wins a Super Bowl.
“I already told Ms. Megan, I said, we win the Super Bowl. I’m going to number one. Like I wanna,” Jackson said. “That’s my first number ever. My dad told me number one, get number one because that’s the best. Like you the best. And they always stuck with me. And I got number eight when I went to college. And then my mom told me eight stands for a new beginning. So I was like, dang, it’s a new beginning. So I kept eight.”
The two-time NFL MVP revealed on “The Lounge Podcast” that he wanted to wear #1 in Baltimore as well, but he was given #8.
“My coach asked me, what number you want? I’m like, I wanted number one, but y’all gave me number eight, but it’s all good, because I know what it’s standing for now. And know, I just said, I want to retire number eight and number one. I want to do that here at the Ravens. So I want to win a Super Bowl with number eight on, do as as I can with number eight on, then come back and do the same thing with one though.”
Lamar Jackson’s 2025 Season
The 2025 campaign for Lamar Jackson was arguably the most frustrating of his career. It has flashes of MVP brilliance, but was overshadowed by mid-season health issues. The Ravens began the year as Super Bowl favorites, and Jackson lived up to the hype early, posting an NFL-record 136.7 passer rating through the first five games.
However, a hamstring injury suffered in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs sidelined Jackson for a significant stretch. While backup Tyler Huntley kept the team in the race, the Ravens struggled for consistency during Jackson’s absence. Upon his return in late October, Jackson threw four touchdowns in a win over the Dolphins, but the team’s defensive collapses began to take a toll.
Jackson finished the 13 games he played with 2,549 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, adding 349 yards on the ground. Despite his efforts, the Ravens finished 8–9, missing the playoffs in a heartbreaking final-week loss to the Steelers.
More: Lamar Jackson’s Ravens Receive Disappointing Update
Can Lamar Jackson Lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl in 2026?
As we enter the 2026 offseason, Baltimore has shifted toward a defense-first reboot under new head coach Jesse Minter. For Jackson to lead the Ravens back to the Super Bowl and finally claim that No. 1 jersey, the defense needs to be better.
The elite signing of Trey Hendrickson gives Jackson a much-needed elite pass rush to ensure he isn’t playing from behind every week. The loss of Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders is a massive blow. For Jackson to succeed, the front office must use their 11 draft picks to fix an offensive line that allowed a 10.6% sack rate last year.
Derrick Henry rushed for nearly 1,600 yards last year. A healthy Jackson paired with a 32-year-old Henry gives the Ravens a great chance to make a deep run to the playoffs.
Rumors are swirling that the Ravens are eyeing free agent tight end David Njoku to pair with Mark Andrews, which would give Jackson one of the most dangerous 12 personnel (two tight ends) packages in the NFL.
