Baltimore Ravens teammate Zay Flowers is convinced that fans will see a markedly different Lamar Jackson when the 2024 NFL season kicks off—a version of the quarterback that feels refreshed, healthier, and more dynamic than ever before. After a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw the Ravens miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021, the organization is eager to turn the page.
The team fell short with an 8-9 record, culminating in a decisive loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final week that handed the AFC North title to their rivals. That defeat, coupled with an injury‑plagued season for two‑time MVP Lamar Jackson, left the Ravens scrambling from a 1‑5 start and forced them into a catch‑up mode that never quite allowed Jackson to display his full, electrifying skill set. Jackson missed four games last season due to various injuries, and even after returning to the field he never seemed to reach the blistering, game‑breaking form that made him a household name. Nevertheless, analysts and insiders alike predict that the quarterback is poised to come back stronger, especially as Baltimore embarks on a renewed Super Bowl quest 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, having led the Ravens last season with 86 receptions for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns.
His confidence in Jackson's abilities is evident in his comments about the quarterback's consistency and character. "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, being yourself, having confidence, and putting God first—those are the things that keep you winning. That's what he has." Statistically, Jackson completed 192 of 302 passes (a 63.6% 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 600‑plus totals.
Even with the dip in rushing production, Jackson remains one of the NFL's premier faces and a key component of any team with Super Bowl aspirations. He has overcome early‑career doubts and pre‑draft skepticism to become a versatile, dual‑threat playmaker who can dominate both through the air and on the ground. The excitement surrounding Jackson is not limited to Flowers. Second‑year wide receiver LaJohntay Wester, who joined the Ravens as a sixth‑round pick from Colorado, marvels at Jackson's improvisational brilliance.
"It's crazy," Wester said. "I saw him scramble last year in practice and put the ball behind his back like he was playing basketball. That's something quarterbacks are told not to do, but it's Lamar Jackson—it's Lamarvelous.
Seeing him execute those moves every day, not just on Sundays, shows he's just being himself." Off the field, the Ravens underwent significant changes during the offseason. Long‑time head coach John Harbaugh, who had guided the team for 18 seasons, departed, making way for former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. The coaching shift has injected fresh energy into the locker room.
Flowers noted, "It's a new opportunity for everybody. Those who didn't get a chance to prove themselves under Coach Harbaugh now have a fresh slate with Coach Minter. You can feel that energy in the room. He brings enthusiasm, and everyone wants to play.
We're all excited to start anew and chase the same goal: a Super Bowl." Both Flowers and Wester echoed the sentiment, describing Minter's arrival as a catalyst for renewed motivation. Wester added, "The new coaching staff brings a vibe the Ravens missed last year. Everyone's on board, and we have a solid plan moving forward." The Ravens' recent postseason history underscores the stakes. Since 2019, the team has reached the Divisional Round three times and suffered an AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 season.
Despite these setbacks, Baltimore remains a dominant force in the AFC, constantly challenging the Chiefs' hegemony and positioning itself as a perennial contender. With Jackson at the helm and a roster featuring stars like Derrick Henry, the Ravens aim to reestablish themselves as front‑runners in the 2026 season and beyond.
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 have to grind, I have to put my best foot forward.' It only makes you better when you have great players around you. It pushes you to be the best version of yourself." For younger players like Wester, the presence of established veterans serves as both inspiration and a call to accountability. "I'm a young guy, so seeing Zay, Derrick, Lamar work hard every day makes me want to work even harder to impress them," he said. "These guys are legends in my city.
Being around them means you can't afford to mess up—you have to be on point and have your ducks in a row." Looking ahead, the combination of a healthier Jackson, a revitalized coaching staff, and an eager supporting cast suggests that the Ravens are poised to rewrite their narrative. The team hopes that Jackson's fresh start translates into a season where his dual‑threat capabilities are fully unleashed, leading Baltimore back into the playoff picture and, ultimately, toward that coveted Super Bowl berth. The upcoming season promises to be a test of resilience, adaptation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence for both Jackson and the entire Ravens organization.