Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is confident that fans will soon witness a markedly different Lamar Jackson as the 2024 NFL season gets underway. After a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw the Ravens miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021, the team is eager to turn the page and present a rejuvenated version of their two‑time MVP quarterback.
The previous season ended on a sour note, with Baltimore finishing 8‑9 and losing the AFC North crown in a decisive defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final week. Jackson, who missed four games due to injury, struggled to regain his trademark explosiveness after returning, and the Ravens stumbled to a 1‑5 start that forced them into a perpetual catch‑up mode.
Although he posted respectable numbers—192 completions on 302 attempts (a 63.6% completion rate) for 2,549 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions—his rushing totals fell to a career‑low 349 yards, a stark contrast to the more than 695 yards he has consistently produced in prior seasons. Despite those setbacks, Flowers believes the quarterback is poised for a resurgence.
"They're going to see a different version this year," he 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, who led the Ravens with 86 receptions for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns last year, has become Jackson's most reliable target and is uniquely positioned to comment on the quarterback's evolution.
The offseason brought significant change to Baltimore's coaching staff. After 18 seasons at the helm, John Harbaugh stepped aside, and former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was hired as the new head coach. Flowers sees this transition as a catalyst for renewed energy across the roster. "It's a new opportunity for everybody," he said.
"Everyone who didn't get a chance to prove themselves under Coach Harbaugh now has a fresh slate with Coach Minter. You can feel that energy in the room. He brings energy, everyone wants to play, and we all share the same goal—getting to the Super Bowl." The sentiment is echoed by second‑year receiver LaJohntay Wester, who joined the team as a sixth‑round pick from Colorado. Wester admits that watching Jackson in practice still feels surreal.
"I saw him scramble last year in practice and put the ball behind his back like he was playing basketball," Wester recounted. "Quarterback coaches usually tell you that's a no‑no, but it's Lamar Jackson—Lamarvelous. He does that stuff every day in practice, not just on Sundays. It's just him being himself." Both Flowers and Wester emphasize that the new coaching regime has injected a sense of purpose that was missing in 2023.
Wester added, "Coach Minter is bringing a new energy into the building. I feel like that's something the Ravens were missing last year, and we got it this year. Everybody is on board, they have a good plan for us." The Ravens' recent playoff 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 postseason. The franchise is determined to break through the Chiefs' dominance in the AFC and re‑establish itself as a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2024 and beyond. Flowers also highlighted the motivational impact of playing alongside other elite athletes.
"If you look around, you see Derrick Henry, then you look to your right and see Lamar Jackson. It makes you think, 'I have to grind, I have to put my best foot forward,'" he said.
"Being surrounded by great players pushes you to be the best version of yourself." For younger players like Wester, the presence of established stars offers both inspiration and a reminder of the high standards expected in Baltimore. "I'm a young guy, so seeing Zay, Derrick, Lamar every day going hard makes me want to work even harder to impress them," he explained.
"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 Ravens hope that Jackson's health will finally align with his talent. The quarterback's offseason regimen has focused on durability, nutrition, and mental preparation, all aimed at preventing the injuries that hampered his 2023 performance. If Jackson can stay on the field and return to his dual‑threat form—combining a potent passing attack with his signature quarterback runs—the Ravens' offense could once again become one of the league's most dynamic units.
Beyond the physical aspects, Flowers believes Jackson's character will be a cornerstone of the team's success. "He stayed true to himself. He doesn't change for anybody," Flowers remarked. "He's always going to be him, and you can count on that.
Consistency, confidence, and putting God first—those are the things that keep you winning. That's what he has." In summary, the Ravens are entering the new season with a revitalized coaching staff, a healthier and more focused Lamar Jackson, and a roster hungry for redemption.
The combination of fresh strategic ideas from Coach Minter, the leadership of veterans like Flowers and Henry, and the emerging drive of younger players such as Wester creates a compelling narrative of renewal. If the pieces fall into place, Baltimore could indeed showcase the best version of Lamar Jackson yet—one that blends his electrifying playmaking with the stability and consistency needed to compete for a championship.