Baltimore Ravens teammate Zay Flowers says the upcoming season will showcase a new, upgraded version of quarterback Lamar Jackson. After a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw the Ravens miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021, the team is eager to rebound. The previous year ended with an 8-9 record and a crushing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final week, which handed the AFC North title to their rivals. Jackson, a two‑time MVP, was sidelined for four games due to injury and the Ravens stumbled out of the gate, posting a 1-5 start that forced them to play catch‑up for the remainder of the season.
Even after returning, his performance never quite reached the electrifying heights that defined his early years. Nonetheless, analysts predict that Jackson will return healthier and more focused, ready to spearhead Baltimore's quest for a Super Bowl in 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 become Jackson's most reliable target, finishing last season with 86 receptions for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns, leading the Ravens' receiving corps.
Jackson's passing numbers were respectable—192 completions on 302 attempts (a 63.6% completion rate) for 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions—but his rushing production dipped to a career‑low 349 yards, well below the 695‑plus yards he has consistently produced in prior seasons. Despite the dip, Jackson remains one of the NFL's marquee players and a cornerstone of any Super Bowl‑contending roster.
Flowers praised Jackson's consistency and authenticity, noting that the quarterback never changes his approach to suit external pressures. "He stayed true to himself.
He doesn't change for nobody," Flowers said. "He's always going to be him and you can count on that.
Consistency, confidence, and putting God first—those are the things that make him unbeatable." For younger teammates like second‑year wide receiver LaJohntay Wester, watching Jackson's improvisational brilliance is still a mind‑blowing experience. "It's crazy," Wester remarked. "I saw him scramble in practice last year and put the ball behind his back like he was playing basketball.
Quarterback coaches tell you that's not allowed, but that's Lamar—it's Lamarvelous. He does that stuff every day in practice, not just on Sundays." The offseason also brought a seismic shift on the coaching side. After 18 seasons, longtime head coach John Harbaugh departed, and former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was hired as the new head coach.
Flowers believes Minter's arrival injects fresh energy into the locker room. "It's a new opportunity for everybody," he said.
"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." Wester echoed the sentiment, noting that the new coaching staff has revitalized the team's atmosphere.
"I'm very excited," he said. "Coach Minter is bringing a new energy that was missing last year. Everyone is on board and we have a solid plan." The Ravens have been knocking on the Super Bowl door for several years, falling short in the divisional round three times since 2019 and losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship after the 2023 season. Yet the franchise remains a central figure in the AFC power struggle, aiming to break the Chiefs' dominance and re‑establish itself as a championship contender in 2026.
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 stars pushes each player to improve and strive for personal excellence.
For Wester, who entered the league as a sixth‑round pick from Colorado and spent most of his rookie year returning kicks, the new environment offers a chance to expand his role. "I'm a young guy, and seeing guys like Zay, Derrick Henry, and Lamar work hard every day makes me want to work even harder to impress them," he explained.
"These guys are legends in my hometown. Being around them means you can't afford to mess up; you have to be on point and keep your ducks in a row." Looking ahead, the Ravens hope that Jackson's health, combined with the fresh coaching philosophy and the renewed confidence of players like Flowers and Wester, will translate into a more dynamic offense and a stronger overall team.
The expectation is that Jackson will blend his dual‑threat ability—accurate passing and explosive runs—with a more disciplined approach under Minter's system, reducing turnovers while still delivering the spectacular plays that have defined his career. If the pieces fall into place, Baltimore could see a resurgence that not only restores its playoff status but also positions the franchise as a legitimate contender for the Lombardi Trophy. The narrative surrounding Jackson is shifting from a player recovering from injury to a leader ready to reinvent himself, and the entire organization appears poised to support that transformation. With a fresh start, a new coach, and a roster hungry for success, the Ravens are set to write the next chapter of their pursuit of NFL glory.