Ravens' Lamar Jackson on new coaching staff: 'Breath of fresh air'

BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson’s impression of new Ravens coach Jesse Minter is that he’s a “cool dude.”

For the first time, the 29-year-old quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player has a different coach than he had for the first eight years of his career. John Harbaugh was fired in January after 18 seasons following a disastrous 8-9 campaign in which Baltimore, a Super Bowl favorite at the start of the year, missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

“I could say it’s a breath of fresh air, because everything is just new,” Jackson said Wednesday afternoon in his first meeting with reporters since last season’s Week 18 loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Jan. 4 that eliminated Baltimore from postseason contention. Two days later, Harbaugh was let go.

He also said that he was “shocked” by Harbaugh’s dismissal, though acknowledged that owner Steve Bisciotti did what was “best for the team.”

In January, Bisciotti said that Jackson did not play an “outsized” role in Harbaugh’s ousting. However, the owner said he spoke with several veteran players, including Jackson, before making the decision.

Jackson also said that he texted his former coach after Harbaugh was hired by the New York Giants this offseason. “I got a lot of respect for coach,” he said of Harbaugh, whom he wished well in his new job.

Minter, of course, is just one of many new coaches that Jackson is getting acquainted with this offseason, including offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.

That, in large part, helps explain Jackson’s attendance this time of year.

In the past, his participation in voluntary organized team activities has been spotty at best. Last year, he attended just one of nine such practices. This year, Minter called him one of the leaders of the offseason program, even though Jackson was absent from last week’s practices because, according to Minter, the quarterback had “a couple of things going on.”

Minter added that Jackson has been communicative and involved — something that has not always been the case in the offseason.

“He’s been here a lot, so it’s not like it’s the first time he’s hearing some of these plays,” Minter said after Wednesday’s practice. “But it’s the first time to really be able to run them at some speed with defense out there. Every play is a great advantage for him to keep getting better, keep learning. I think he’s excited about where we’re headed.”

That perhaps includes building a relationship with Doyle, who is just 10 months older than Jackson.

Doyle is also calling plays for the first time after serving in the same role for the Chicago Bears last season. There, coach Ben Johnson called the plays.

“It’s cool man, because like I just said, him seeing things on film and when he is calling certain plays, I know what he’s thinking within the play call. So, it’s just making my job a lot easier.”

Last year, it looked anything but.

Rebounding from a tough season

Jackson missed four games because of injuries, including a hamstring ailment that he said he suffered in a Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions. He said he struggled with that and other injuries that piled up.

“I just thought it was just nagging until we played the Chiefs, and I tried to do a move. I just felt my hamstring just like … I can’t even describe it to you this year. It’s crazy,” he said.

Jackson completed just 63.6% of his passes — his lowest mark since 2022 — for 2,549 yards with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 13 games. He was also sacked 36 times, the highest rate of his career.

Inside the building, things were hanging “by a thread.” Questions arose about the relationships between Jackson, Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken (now coach of the Cleveland Browns). Losing only exacerbated things.

Now, Jackson is fully healthy. The quarterback also said he feels re-energized. He looked sharp at times, too, hitting third-year receiver Devontez Walker in stride on a couple of passes as well as connecting with his favorite target, Pro Bowl receiver Zay Flowers, on a few on-target throws Wednesday.

Not everything was perfect, though.

Early in practice, Jackson was intercepted by cornerback Nate Wiggins as he tried to force a pass to Flowers on a deep crossing route. New edge rusher Trey Hendrickson also broke up a screen pass intended for Flowers.

But that’s part of the reason Jackson is here to begin with.

“New system,” he said. “I have to get the terminology down. Knowing where guys are, watching film, getting out on the field with my guys, knowing where guys are going to be with certain routes and certain plays, and hearing [Doyle] call plays — everything is new, so I had to be here.”

Contract questions loom

Jackson was less forthcoming, though, about the status of a potential contract extension.

Getting one done is general manager Eric DeCosta’s top priority. Where those negotiations stand is unclear, and neither Jackson nor DeCosta has been willing to discuss what progress, if any, has been made.

Earlier this offseason, the Ravens restructured Jackson’s five-year, $260 million contract to lower his salary cap number from $74.5 million this year to $34.4 million. That number will balloon to more than $84.3 million next year, however, unless the contract is restructured again or the two sides agree on an extension.

If they can’t come to an agreement, Jackson could become a free agent in March 2028.

Asked if he envisions himself remaining in Baltimore long-term, Jackson said, “Absolutely.”

“I love the Ravens. I love this organization. I love this city,” he said. “This is the team that drafted me, so [this city has] a lot of love for me — I believe — and I have a lot of love for the city and this team, as well. So, like I told you, the [restructure] is done, and I’m cool with that, but I love Baltimore. Everybody should know that by now.”

He’s also focused on the immediate and excited about the possibilities under a new regime.

“I feel like everything is new right now, but it’s cool,” he said. “The atmosphere is smooth. I’m just looking forward to the season now.”