Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is confident that fans will see a markedly different Lamar Jackson when the 2024 NFL season kicks off. 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 poised for a fresh start.
Jackson, a two‑time MVP, missed four games last season because of injury and the Ravens stumbled out of the gate, dropping five of their first six contests. Even after he returned, his play never quite reached the electrifying heights that made him a league‑wide sensation, but analysts and teammates alike believe the quarterback is on the verge of a resurgence. "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, hauling in 86 receptions for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns last season, leading the Ravens in both catches and yardage.
Jackson’s 2023 statistics paint a mixed picture. He completed 192 of 302 attempts – a 63.6 percent completion rate – for 2,549 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. On the ground, however, he recorded a career‑low 349 rushing yards, a stark contrast to the more than 1,000 yards he has traditionally produced each year.
Despite the dip, Jackson remains one of the NFL’s marquee players and a cornerstone of a roster that still boasts Super Bowl aspirations. Flowers summed up what makes Jackson special: "He stayed true to himself.
He doesn’t change for anybody. 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 can’t be beaten.
That’s what he’s got." For younger teammates like second‑year wideout LaJohntay Wester, watching Jackson day‑in, day‑out is still a source of awe. "It’s crazy," Wester said.
"Some of the things he does are just unreal. 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 it’s Lamar Jackson – it’s Lamarvelous.
Seeing him pull off those moves in practice, the same things you see on Sundays, shows he’s just being himself." The offseason brought significant change to the Ravens’ coaching staff. After 18 seasons at the helm, John Harbaugh stepped down, and former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was hired as the new head coach. Flowers believes the shift has injected a new energy into the locker room. "It’s a new opportunity for everybody," he said.
"Players who didn’t get a chance to prove themselves under Coach Harbaugh now have a fresh start with Coach Minter. You can feel that energy in the room. He brings enthusiasm, everyone wants to play, and we’re all excited to chase the same goal – a Super Bowl." Wester echoed that sentiment, noting that the new coaching staff has revitalized the team’s atmosphere. "I’m very excited.
Coach Minter brings a new energy to the building. That’s something the Ravens were missing last year, and we have it now.
Everybody is on board, and we have a solid plan moving forward," he added. The Ravens have been close but not quite there in recent postseason play, falling in the Divisional Round three times since 2019 and losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game at the end of the 2023 season.
Yet the franchise remains a dominant force in the AFC, consistently challenging the Chiefs’ hegemony. With a revamped coaching philosophy, a healthier Jackson, and a roster brimming with talent, Baltimore hopes to re‑enter the championship conversation in 2024 and beyond. Flowers highlighted the motivational effect of playing alongside elite talent. "If you look around, you see Derrick Henry, then you look to your right and see Lamar Jackson, you’re like, ‘I’ve got to grind, I’ve got to put my best foot forward,’" he said.
"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 development. Drafted in the sixth round out of Colorado, he spent most of his rookie year returning kicks, but he now aspires to contribute more on offense. "I’m a young guy, so seeing guys like Zay, Derrick, Lamar every day going hard makes me want to work even harder to impress them," he explained.
"They’re legends in my city. Being around them makes you want to stay sharp, keep your ducks in a row, and never mess up." Looking ahead, the Ravens’ strategy centers on maximizing Jackson’s dual‑threat capabilities while ensuring he stays healthy throughout the grueling season. The new offensive scheme under Minter is expected to blend Jackson’s improvisational brilliance with more structured passing concepts, giving him the freedom to make plays while also reducing the wear and tear that contributed to his injury woes last year. In addition, the coaching staff plans to expand the role of emerging receivers like Flowers and Wester, providing Jackson with a broader set of weapons to keep defenses honest.
By diversifying the attack, Baltimore hopes to alleviate some of the pressure on Jackson’s legs, allowing him to conserve energy for critical moments. Overall, the consensus among players and insiders is that the 2024 Ravens are entering a period of renewal. With a rejuvenated Jackson, a motivated coaching staff, and a hungry supporting cast, the team is primed to rewrite its recent narrative and make a serious push for the Lombardi Trophy.
The upcoming season will be the true test of whether this "new version" of Lamar Jackson can translate into sustained success on the field.