Baltimore Ravens teammate Zay Flowers is confident that fans will witness a revitalized, more dynamic Lamar Jackson when the NFL season kicks off. After a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw the Ravens miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021, the quarterback’s future looks brighter than ever. Last year the Ravens fell short with an 8-9 record, sealing their fate with a crushing defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final week, which cost them the AFC North crown. Jackson, a two‑time MVP, missed four games due to injury and the team stumbled out of the gate, posting a 1-5 start that forced them into a perpetual catch‑up mode.
Even after returning to the field, Jackson never quite recaptured the electrifying, game‑breaking form that made him a household name. Yet analysts and insiders alike predict that he will emerge stronger this September as Baltimore renews its Super Bowl ambitions.
"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, leading the Ravens with 86 receptions for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns in the previous season. His confidence in the quarterback’s evolution underscores a broader sense of optimism within the locker room. Jackson’s 2023 statistics reflect a mixed picture.
He completed 192 of 302 attempts (a 63.6% completion rate) for 2,549 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. On the ground, however, he recorded a career‑low 349 rushing yards—well below the 695‑plus yards he has traditionally produced each year. Despite the dip, Jackson remains one of the league’s marquee faces and a cornerstone of any team aspiring to contend for the Lombardi Trophy. He has long silenced pre‑draft doubts, evolving into a versatile, dual‑threat playmaker.
"He stayed true to himself. He doesn't change for nobody," Flowers said, highlighting the quarterback’s unwavering character. "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 for winning.
Nothing can beat that, and that's what he has." For many Ravens, including second‑year wide receiver LaJohntay Wester, adapting to Jackson’s unique skill set has been a revelation. "It's crazy," Wester marveled. "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 it's Lamar Jackson—Lamarvelous. He does those things on Sundays and then pulls them off in practice all week. He's just being himself." The offseason also brought a seismic shift in the coaching hierarchy.
After 18 seasons at the helm, John Harbaugh departed, and the organization hired former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as the new head coach. Flowers believes this change injects fresh energy into the squad. "Everyone who didn’t get a chance to prove themselves under Coach Harbaugh now has a new opportunity with Jesse Minter. You can feel that energy in the room.
He brings energy; everybody wants to play. We're excited to start fresh and chase the same goal— a Super Bowl." Wester echoed the sentiment, noting that the new coaching staff has revived a spark that was missing last year. "I'm very excited. Coach Minter brings a new energy to the building.
It’s something the Ravens lacked, and we have it now. Everybody 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 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship at the close of the 2023 season.
Their roster, anchored by Jackson’s talent, remains one of the most formidable in the AFC, and the team is expected to re‑enter the fray as a front‑runner in 2026. Flowers summed up the competitive atmosphere: "If you look around, you see Derrick Henry, then you look to your right and see Lamar Jackson. It makes you grind, push harder, and put your best foot forward.
Great players around you only make you better." For younger players like Wester, the chance to learn from established stars is a huge motivator. Drafted in the sixth round out of Colorado, he spent most of his rookie year as a return specialist. "I'm a young guy, so seeing Zay, Derrick Henry, Lamar every day going hard 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 keep your ducks in a row." In summary, the combination of a healthier Jackson, a revamped coaching staff, and a roster hungry for validation sets the stage for what could be the best chapter of Lamar Jackson’s career. The Ravens are poised to rewrite their narrative, and if Flowers’ optimism holds true, fans will be treated to a fresh, exhilarating version of the MVP quarterback who can once again lead Baltimore to the promised land of the Super Bowl.