Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers says the upcoming season will showcase a newly refreshed 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 knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs for the first time since 2021, 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 earlier years, but analysts and teammates alike believe he will come back stronger as Baltimore gears up for another Super Bowl push 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'll take care of himself, and you’ll notice a new version of everybody soon." Flowers has established himself as Jackson's most reliable target, catching 86 passes for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns last season.
His confidence in the quarterback is evident, and he expects the entire offense to benefit from the changes. Jackson's 2023 statistics illustrate 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, far below his usual 700‑plus total.
Despite the dip, Jackson remains one of the NFL's marquee players and a cornerstone of a team that has consistently chased the league's biggest prize. "He stayed true to himself. He doesn't change for anybody," Flowers said.
"His consistency, confidence, and faith in God keep him grounded. That’s what makes him unbeatable." For younger teammates like second‑year wide receiver LaJohntay Wester, watching Jackson daily is a lesson in creativity and resilience.
"It’s crazy," Wester said. "Last year in practice I saw him scramble and toss the ball behind his back like a basketball move. Coaches usually forbid that, but with Lamar it’s just Lamarvelous.
He does those things on Sundays and then repeats them in practice all week. It’s just him being himself." The offseason also brought a seismic shift in Baltimore's leadership. After 18 seasons, head coach John Harbaugh departed, and former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter stepped in as the new head coach.
Flowers described the transition as a chance for every player to prove themselves in a fresh environment. "It’s a new opportunity for everybody," he explained.
"Those who didn’t get a chance under Coach Harbaugh now have a shot with Coach Minter. You can feel the energy in the locker room. Everyone wants to play, everyone is excited to start fresh and chase the same goal— a Super Bowl." Wester echoed that sentiment, noting that the new coaching staff injected the energy the Ravens lacked last year. "Coach Minter brings a new vibe to the building.
It’s something we missed, and now we have it. Everyone’s on board and we have a solid plan," he added.
The Ravens have been close but not quite there in recent postseason runs, falling in the divisional round three times since 2019 and losing an AFC Championship to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 season. Yet the franchise remains a dominant force in the AFC, constantly vying to dethrone the Chiefs and claim the conference crown.
Flowers summed up the competitive atmosphere: "If you look around you see Derrick Henry, then you see Lamar Jackson, and you think, ‘I have to grind, I have to give my best.’ Being surrounded by great players pushes you to become the best version of yourself." For Wester, the chance to learn from veterans like Zay Flowers, Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson is a catalyst for his own growth. Drafted in the sixth round from Colorado, he spent most of his rookie year as a return specialist.
Now, inspired by the work ethic of the team’s stars, he wants to earn a larger role. "I’m a young guy, and seeing Zay, Derrick and Lamar work hard every day makes me want to work even harder to impress them," Wester said. "These guys are legends in my city. Being around them means you can’t afford to slip up—you have to be ready and focused." Looking ahead, the Ravens' revamped coaching staff, a healthier Jackson, and the confidence of players like Flowers and Wester set the stage for a potentially transformative season.
The combination of a refreshed offensive system, renewed energy in the locker room, and the drive to finally break through the AFC barrier could make 2024 the year Baltimore finally reaches the Super Bowl. The league will be watching closely to see if this new iteration of Lamar Jackson lives up to the hype and leads the Ravens back to the championship stage.