Lamar Jackson is getting ready to play in the first AFC championship game of his career, as his Ravens prepare to take on Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs on Sunday.

The Ravens quarterback is looking forward to fighting for the right to make the Super Bowl. But playing against Mahomes? That’s something he isn’t looking forward to as much.

Jackson was asked what he likes about playing against Mahomes ahead of their meeting. Jackson was completely honest with his answer.

“I don’t like competing against him at all,” Jackson told reporters with a laugh.

That response doesn’t indicate that Jackson is scared to play Mahomes. It’s more a sign of Jackson’s respect for Mahomes’ game, which Jackson praised thoroughly after his initial comment.

“He’s a great quarterback,” Jackson said of Mahomes. “Definitely a Hall of Famer — it’s a no-brainer, he’s definitely a Hall of Famer.”

Patrick Mahomes vs. Lamar Jackson stats

It’s hard to argue against Jackson’s point, even at this early stage of Mahomes’ career. The Chiefs star has already won two Super Bowls and two MVPs in his six years as a starting quarterback, and Kansas City has made it to at least the AFC championship game in all six of his seasons as a starter.

Mahomes may just be 28, but those accolades combined with his statistical performance — two seasons with 5,000-plus passing yards, two seasons as the league leader in passing touchdowns and a 50-touchdown season — already give him a resume that stacks up well with many of the all-time greats.

While Jackson doesn’t have the same sort of consistent postseason success that Mahomes has enjoyed, the Ravens starter seems like a shoo-in to win his second MVP over his first six seasons as an NFL starter. He has a 58-19 record as a starter and has established himself as one of the most dynamic, game-changing quarterbacks in the NFL.

So, it’s easy to understand why Jackson has confidence going into his matchup against Mahomes.

“I believe it’s just two greats, up-and-coming greats going toe to toe,” the Ravens quarterback said. “Like a heavyweight fight, a heavyweight matchup.”

Mahomes has a 3-1 advantage in the head-to-head series so far, but Jackson won the most recent meeting between the two in 2021.

Mahomes is hoping to earn a measure of revenge for that latest defeat, but he knows it won’t be easy to earn.

“I’ve admired watching [Jackson] from afar and I know it’s going to be a great challenge going up against him,” Mahomes told reporters.