OWINGS MILLS, Md. — During the second week of the Baltimore Ravens’ organized team activities, a rookie asked quarterback Lamar Jackson if this is really his ninth NFL season. “Yes, but I’m not an ‘Unc’ yet though,” Jackson replied, noting he turned 29 in January.
Jackson has not dwelt on age and is concentrating on moving past a frustrating 2023 campaign as the Ravens enter a new era. He has spent more time in Baltimore this offseason learning first-year playcaller Declan Doyle’s offense. Doyle is Jackson’s fourth offensive coordinator in nine years, following Marty Mornhingweg, Greg Roman and Todd Monken.
Jackson said he has had “some great conversations” with Doyle and that the coach “wants me to be involved a lot,” adding that he should know what Doyle is thinking when plays are called. During OTAs Jackson threw an early interception to cornerback Nate Wiggins but settled in, converting a third-and-15 to Devontez Walker and later connecting on a deep crossing route to Walker.
The biggest change for Jackson and the club has been at head coach, where Jesse Minter replaced John Harbaugh after 18 years. Jackson said he was shocked by Harbaugh’s firing in January and believes owner Steve Bisciotti did what was best for the team. Jackson called Minter “a cool dude” and said, “I can say it’s a breath of fresh air.” Minter said he believes Jackson and the coaching staff are on the same page and that it is “great to see him out there making the plays that we know he can make.”
Jackson opened last season with a series of injuries and finished with his first losing record as a starter (6-7) and 2,898 total yards (2,549 passing, 349 rushing), his fewest since his 2018 rookie year. He missed four games and multiple practices because of hamstring, knee, ankle, toe and back issues and acknowledged he was probably dealing with injuries “a little bit” at the end of the year. Jackson said his offseason approach was to “just heal up” and that he does not view his previous offseason program as flawed.
Jackson also has been getting reacquainted with newcomers at the skill positions and joking with rookie draft picks at wide receiver Jacobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt and tight end Matthew Hibner and Josh Cuevas as he prepares for the season under the new staff.
