The upcoming NFL season promises to showcase a revitalized and more polished Lamar Jackson, according to his Baltimore Ravens teammate Zay Flowers. After a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw the Ravens miss the postseason for the first time since 2021, the franchise is banking on a rejuvenated Jackson to reignite their Super Bowl aspirations. Baltimore’s 2023 run ended with an 8-9 record, capped by a crushing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final week that handed the AFC North title to the rival.
The season was marred by injuries, most notably to two‑time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, who missed four games. The Ravens stumbled out of the gate with a 1-5 start, forcing the team into a perpetual catch‑up mode.
Even when Jackson returned to the field, he never quite displayed the electrifying, game‑breaking brilliance that defined his earlier years. Still, analysts and insiders believe he will emerge stronger this fall, especially as the Ravens embark on a new coaching era. "They’re going to see a different version this year," wide receiver Zay 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’ll 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, leading the Ravens last season with 86 receptions for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns. His confidence in Jackson’s potential is palpable. "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, being yourself, having confidence, and putting God first—that’s a formula that always wins. That’s what he’s got." Jackson’s 2023 statistics illustrate a mixed picture. He completed 192 of 302 passes, a 63.6 percent completion rate, for 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
On the ground, however, he posted a career‑low 349 rushing yards—a stark contrast to his usual 700‑plus yard seasons. Despite the dip, Jackson remains one of the NFL’s most recognizable faces and a cornerstone of the league’s Super Bowl contender pool, having shed early pre‑draft doubts to become a versatile, high‑impact play‑caller.
For younger teammates like second‑year wideout LaJohntay Wester, witnessing Jackson’s daily work ethic is awe‑inspiring. "It’s crazy," Wester marveled.
"I saw him scramble in practice and put the ball behind his back like he was playing basketball. Quarterback coaches tell you not to do that, but that’s Lamar. It’s Lamar‑velous.
Seeing him pull off the stuff you only see on Sundays, every day in practice—that’s just him being himself." The offseason also brought a seismic shift in the coaching staff. After 18 seasons at the helm, long‑time head coach John Harbaugh departed, making way for former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
Flowers described the transition as a breath of fresh air: "It’s a new opportunity for everybody. Players who didn’t get a chance to prove themselves under Coach Harbaugh now have a fresh start with Coach Minter.
You can feel that energy in the room. He brings energy, everyone wants to play, and we’re all excited to start anew and chase the same goal—a Super Bowl." Wester echoed the sentiment, noting that the new coaching staff injected the energy the Ravens lacked last season. "Coach Minter is bringing a new vibe to the building.
It’s something the Ravens missed last year, and we have it now. Everybody is on board, we have a solid plan." Historically, the Ravens have been a formidable force in the AFC, reaching the Divisional Round three times since 2019 and falling short in the 2023 AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
With a talented roster anchored by Jackson, Derrick Henry and a host of emerging players, the team aims to break the Chiefs’ dominance and contend for the championship again in 2026. Flowers summed up the competitive atmosphere: "If you look around, you see Derrick Henry, then you look to your right and see Lamar Jackson, and you think, ‘I’ve got to grind, I’ve got to put my best foot forward.’ It only makes you better to have great players around you.
It pushes you to be the best version of yourself." For Wester, the prospect of increased responsibility is motivating. Drafted in the sixth round out of Colorado, he spent most of his rookie year as a return specialist.
Now, surrounded by veterans, he feels the pressure to elevate his game. "I’m a young guy, so seeing Zay, Derrick, Lamar every day working hard makes me want to work even harder to impress them," he said.
"These guys are legends from my city. Being around them means you can’t mess up—you have to be on point and have your ducks in a row." In summary, the Ravens are entering the new season with a rejuvenated Jackson, a refreshed coaching philosophy, and a roster hungry for success. The combination of Jackson’s renewed health, Flowers’ reliable hands, and the added energy from the Minter era could very well produce the most compelling version of Lamar Jackson yet, positioning Baltimore as a serious contender for the NFL’s ultimate prize.