The upcoming NFL season promises to showcase a newly energized and refined version of Lamar Jackson, according to his Baltimore Ravens teammate Zay Flowers. After a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw the Ravens miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021, the organization is eager for a turnaround.
The team finished 8-9, capped by a crushing defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final week that cost them the AFC North crown. Jackson, a two‑time MVP, was sidelined for four games due to injuries, contributing to a shaky 1-5 start that forced the Ravens into a perpetual catch‑up mode.
Even after returning to the field, his play never quite reached the electrifying, game‑breaking level that defined his earlier years. Nevertheless, analysts and insiders believe he will return stronger, healthier, and more focused as Baltimore re‑enters the Super Bowl conversation 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 emerged as Jackson’s most reliable target, leading the Ravens last season with 86 receptions for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns.
His confidence in the quarterback’s potential is evident, and he expects the entire roster to benefit from the changes coming with a new coaching staff and offensive scheme. 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 recorded 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 any team with Super Bowl aspirations. He has long dispelled early‑draft doubts to become a versatile, dual‑threat playmaker.
"He stayed true to himself. He doesn’t change for anybody," Flowers said, highlighting the quarterback’s consistency.
"He’s always going to be him and you can count on that. Consistency, being yourself, confidence, and putting God first—that’s a formula that always wins. That’s what he has." For younger teammates like second‑year wide receiver LaJohntay Wester, Jackson’s brilliance can still feel surreal.
"It’s crazy," Wester exclaimed. "I saw him scramble in practice last year and put the ball behind his back like he was playing basketball. Quarterback coaches tell you not to do that, but that’s Lamar—Lamarvelous.
He does those things in practice all week, not just on Sundays. It’s just him being himself." The offseason also brought a seismic shift in the Ravens’ leadership. After 18 seasons at the helm, John Harbaugh departed, and former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was hired as head coach.
Flowers sees this as a chance for every player to prove themselves anew. "It’s a new opportunity for everybody. Those who didn’t get a chance under Coach Harbaugh now have a fresh shot with Coach Minter. You can feel that energy in the locker room," he said.
Minter’s arrival has injected a palpable enthusiasm throughout the organization. Both Flowers and Wester repeatedly used the word "energy" to describe the atmosphere. Wester added, "Coach Minter brings a new energy to the building. It’s something the Ravens missed last year, and we have it now.
Everyone is on board, and we have a solid plan." 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 at the close of the 2023 season. The team’s roster, bolstered by Jackson’s dual‑threat skill set, remains one of the league’s most talented, and expectations are high for a resurgence in 2026. Flowers summed up the competitive spirit surrounding the squad: "If you look around, you see Derrick Henry, then you look to your right and see Lamar Jackson. It makes you want to grind harder, put your best foot forward.
Great players push you to become the best version of yourself." Meanwhile, Wester, a sixth‑round pick from Colorado who primarily contributed as a return specialist last season, sees the upcoming year as a chance to expand his role. "I’m a young guy, and seeing Zay, Derrick, Lamar work hard every day motivates me 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 keep your ducks in a row." Looking ahead, the Ravens’ revamped coaching staff, renewed health outlook for Jackson, and a roster hungry for validation suggest that Baltimore could finally break through the AFC barrier.
If Jackson can stay healthy, maintain his elite decision‑making, and blend his rushing prowess with a more efficient passing attack, the Ravens may well become the most formidable contender in the league. The combination of veteran leadership, youthful energy, and strategic adjustments under Coach Minter sets the stage for a potentially historic season, one where the phrase "fresh start" could become the defining narrative for Lamar Jackson and the entire Ravens organization.