Baltimore Ravens teammate Zay Flowers says this season will showcase a newly invigorated Lamar Jackson, a version of the quarterback that fans have yet to see. After a disappointing 2023 campaign that ended with an 8-9 record and a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that cost the Ravens the AFC North crown, the team is eager for a turnaround.
Jackson, a two‑time MVP, missed four games due to injury and the Ravens stumbled out of the gate with a 1-5 start. Even after returning, his play never quite reached the electrifying heights that defined his early years, but analysts expect him to return stronger as Baltimore reignites its Super Bowl aspirations this September.
"They’ll see a different version this year," Flowers told Sky Sports. "With a new system, he’s getting a fresh start. He’ll be healthy, he’ll take care of himself, and you’ll notice a new version of everyone—real soon." Flowers has emerged as Jackson’s most reliable target, hauling in 86 receptions for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns last season. 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 total dropped to a career‑low 349 yards, a stark contrast to the typical 700‑plus yards he usually posts.
Despite the dip, Jackson remains one of the NFL’s marquee faces and a perennial contender for the league’s biggest prize, having disproved early draft doubts to become a versatile, high‑impact play‑maker. "He stays true to himself," Flowers noted. "He doesn’t change for anyone or anything in his life.
Consistency, confidence, and putting God first are his formula for success, and that’s unbeatable." For younger teammates like second‑year receiver LaJohntay Wester, witnessing Jackson’s improvisational brilliance is still awe‑inspiring. "It’s crazy," Wester said. "I saw him scramble in practice and toss the ball behind his back like a basketball move—something coaches normally forbid.
It’s Lamar‑velous. He does those things on Sundays, and he does them every day in practice. He’s just being himself." The offseason also brought a seismic shift in Baltimore’s coaching staff.
After 18 seasons, head coach John Harbaugh departed, and former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter stepped in as the new leader. Flowers welcomed the change, describing it as a renewed chance for players who felt limited under the previous regime. "Minter brings energy. Everyone wants to play, and we all share the same goal—another Super Bowl." Wester echoed that sentiment, crediting Minter’s arrival with injecting the missing spark the Ravens needed last year.
"The whole team is on board with a solid plan," he added. The Ravens have been close but not quite there, falling in the divisional round three times since 2019 and suffering an AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 season.
Yet the franchise remains a central figure in the AFC’s battle for relevance beyond the Chiefs’ dominance, and expectations are high for a 2026 push. Flowers summed up the competitive environment: "When you look around and see players like Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson, you know you have to grind and give your best. Great teammates push you to become the best version of yourself." For Wester, the upcoming season could be a breakout opportunity.
Drafted in the sixth round from Colorado, he spent most of his rookie year as a return specialist. "Seeing Zay, Derrick, Lamar work hard every day makes me want to work even harder to impress them," he said. "They’re legends in my city, and being around them makes you want to be flawless." Overall, the combination of Jackson’s anticipated health, a refreshed offensive system, and Minter’s energetic coaching philosophy suggests that the Ravens are poised to rewrite their narrative. If Jackson can recapture his dual‑threat dynamism—mixing precise passing with his trademark elusiveness—Baltimore could very well become the AFC’s next powerhouse, aiming to finally break through the playoff ceiling that has haunted them for years.
The stage is set, the players are ready, and the fans are waiting for a new chapter in Lamar Jackson’s already storied career.