This season, Baltimore Ravens fans are poised to witness a rejuvenated version of quarterback Lamar Jackson, according to teammate wide receiver Zay Flowers, who says the star is entering the league with a clean slate and renewed vigor. The Ravens concluded last year with an 8-9 record, missing the postseason for the first time since the 2021 campaign.
Their season finale—a decisive loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers—cost them the AFC North crown and underscored the need for a reset. The setback was compounded by Jackson’s own challenges: the two‑time MVP sat out four games due to injury, and the team stumbled out of the gate with a 1-5 start that forced them into a perpetual catch‑up mode. Even after returning to the field, Jackson never quite displayed the electrifying, game‑breaking style that made him a household name.
Yet analysts and insiders alike predict that he will come back stronger, healthier, and more focused as Baltimore aims to re‑ignite its Super Bowl aspirations this September. "They're going to see a different version this year," Flowers told Sky Sports. "Under a new system, he gets a fresh start. He's going to be healthy.
He's going to take care of himself, everything. You're going to see a new version of everybody, if I'm being honest. Soon, real soon, everybody.
Real soon." Flowers has cemented himself as Jackson’s most reliable target, hauling in 86 receptions for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns in the previous season. His confidence in the quarterback’s potential is evident in his remarks about Jackson’s character. "He stayed true to himself. He doesn't change for anybody," Flowers said.
"He's always going to be him, and you can count on that. Consistency, confidence, and putting God first—that’s what keeps him winning." Statistically, Jackson posted a 63.6 percent completion rate, throwing 192 of 302 passes for 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. However, his rushing numbers dipped dramatically to a career‑low 349 yards, a stark contrast to the 695‑plus yards he had logged in each of his prior seasons.
Despite the dip, his status as one of the NFL’s marquee faces and a key component of a Super Bowl‑contending roster remains intact. He has overcome early‑career doubts about his draft pedigree to become one of the league’s most versatile and dynamic play‑callers.
Teammates echo this admiration. Second‑year receiver LaJohntay Wester, still acclimating to the Ravens’ offensive system, described Jackson’s on‑field wizardry as "unreal." He recalled a practice moment where Jackson scrambled and tossed the ball behind his back, a move typically discouraged for quarterbacks. "It’s Lamarvelous," Wester laughed, noting that the quarterback’s creativity isn’t confined to Sunday games; it permeates daily practice, reinforcing his unique brand of football intelligence.
Off the field, Baltimore underwent a seismic shift in leadership. After 18 seasons at the helm, longtime head coach John Harbaugh departed, making way for former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Flowers believes the coaching change injects fresh energy into the locker room. "Everyone who didn’t get a chance under Coach Harbaugh now has a new opportunity with Coach Minter.
You can feel that energy in the room," he said. "He brings energy, everybody wants to play, and we’re all excited to start fresh and chase the same goal—a Super Bowl." Wester echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the new staff has revitalized the team’s morale. "Coach Minter is bringing a new energy into the building. That’s something the Ravens were missing last year, and we have it now," he explained.
"Everyone is on board, and we have a solid plan moving forward." The Ravens have been knocking on the Super Bowl door for several years, reaching the divisional round three times since 2019 and falling short in the AFC Championship to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 season. Their roster, anchored by Jackson’s dual‑threat capabilities, remains one of the most talented in the AFC, and the franchise is determined to break through the Chiefs’ recent dominance. Flowers highlighted the motivational impact of playing alongside elite talent.
"If you look around, you see Derrick Henry, then you look to your right and see Lamar Jackson. It makes you grind harder and put your best foot forward," he said. The presence of such high‑caliber players pushes each individual to elevate their own performance, creating a culture of relentless improvement.
For younger players like Wester, the environment offers both inspiration and pressure. Drafted in the sixth round out of Colorado, Wester spent most of his rookie year as a return specialist. Now, surrounded by veterans like Zay Flowers, Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson, he feels compelled to work harder to earn his spot. "I’m a young guy, so seeing guys like Zay, Derrick, Lamar every day going hard makes me want to go even harder," he admitted.
"These guys are legends in my city, and being around them means you can’t afford to mess up; you have to be on point." Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the Ravens are expected to be front‑runners in the AFC, leveraging Jackson’s refreshed health, the innovative schemes of Coach Minter, and the collective hunger of a roster eager to finally claim the championship. If the quarterback can return to his MVP form—combining precise passing with his signature rushing explosiveness—the Ravens could very well rewrite the narrative that has kept them just shy of the ultimate prize for years. In summary, the combination of a healthier Lamar Jackson, a new coaching philosophy, and an energized locker room suggests that Baltimore is poised for a breakout year. As Flowers succinctly put it, the team is ready to start anew, harness fresh energy, and pursue the Super Bowl with renewed determination.