Lamar Jackson is ready to go. The two-time NFL MVP arrived at the Baltimore Ravens’ voluntary offseason workouts this week with a clear sense of urgency. His teammates have already taken notice.
Wide receiver Zay Flowers said it plainly: “He’s always ready… he’s even more ready this year.” Jackson is excited about the new coaching staff. He specifically is keen to work with first-year offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. That energy is spreading fast through the locker room.
Jackson Breaks His Offseason Habit
Historically, the star quarterback skips voluntary spring workouts. This year, he showed up on Day 1. The Ravens posted video of him running drills inside the indoor facility and lifting in the weight room. This shift alone reveals a significant narrative.
The 2025 season stung for everyone in Baltimore. Jackson finished 6-7 as a starter and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Hamstring and back injuries cost him four games. That adversity can break a team — or sharpen it. All early signs point to the latter.
Flowers captured the mood perfectly. “You’ll have a chance, no matter who it is, so take it,” he said. “And this is our window, I feel like.”
A Fresh Era Under Head Coach Jesse Minter
Baltimore replaced the legendary John Harbaugh after 18 seasons. Defensive-minded coordinator Jesse Minter now runs the show. For core players like Jackson, safety Kyle Hamilton, tight end Mark Andrews, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey — all of whom only knew Harbaugh — this is genuinely new ground.
Still, the early reviews are glowing. Hamilton called Minter “very detailed and very meticulous.” He labeled him a “shoo-in” for the role given his Baltimore roots and defensive background. Hamilton had even polled Los Angeles Chargers players who knew Minter before camp began. Their verdict: “No egos at all; he’s very humble, intelligent, and doesn’t point the finger.”
That message resonated across the locker room. Coaches and players both describe attendance at voluntary workouts as excellent. The energy is real and early.
The Doyle-Jackson Connection Changes Everything
At just 29 years old, Declan Doyle is one of the youngest offensive coordinators in the NFL. He is the same age as Jackson. That shared generational perspective should help them build a natural rapport. Their previous OC, Todd Monken, reportedly had a rockier dynamic with the quarterback.
Doyle previously worked closely with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. His offense centers on explosive plays and up-tempo football. That scheme fits Jackson’s dynamic skill set perfectly.
From our field observation, this pairing could be the most important development in Baltimore heading into the 2026 NFL season. Jackson has long been a system-restricted superstar. Doyle’s approach — built around pace, misdirection, and big plays — could finally unlock the full ceiling of a two-time MVP.
Andrews is already sold on the new offensive vision. “Just being around him the few short days, [he] seems like an incredibly dynamic person,” the veteran tight end said of Doyle. “He said he prides himself on being a teacher.”
Ravens Address Roster Gaps Before the 2026 NFL Draft
Baltimore’s tight end room looks very different this offseason. Isaiah Likely left for the New York Giants. Charlie Kolar signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard also moved on to New York. The Ravens signed blocking tight end Durham Smythe during free agency. However, the team still needs more veteran depth at that position through the 2026 NFL Draft.
The offensive line and receiving corps also need upgrades. Flowers enters the season coming off his best year—86 catches, 1,211 yards, and five touchdowns. He is now one of the top pass-catching targets in the AFC. That production gives Jackson a proven No. 1 weapon, even as the supporting cast evolves around him.
Postseason Pressure Fuels the Hunger
Jackson owns the second-best regular-season winning percentage among quarterbacks since 2018 at .710 (76-31). Only Patrick Mahomes ranks higher. However, his postseason record sits at just 3-5. He has never advanced past the AFC Championship Game. That gap between regular-season brilliance and playoff results remains the defining tension of his career.
Hamilton framed the stakes plainly: “The standard has not been met and upheld. We need to fix that.” He specifically called out the defense. With Minter’s defensive background and coordinator Anthony Weaver shaping the scheme fit, Baltimore is betting big on a full reset.
Jackson seems to embrace that pressure. Flowers said the quarterback “wants to finish”—and above all, “he wants to get a ring.”
Baltimore has maintained strong cap space flexibility. The roster has real upgrades. The coaching staff is young, hungry, and detailed. An energized MVP leads the charge. As a result, the Ravens enter the 2026 NFL season as legitimate AFC North contenders — before a single preseason snap is taken.
