Lamar Jackson isn’t ready to hand out gold stars just yet.
Yes, the Ravens have spent early camp drawing plenty of buzz, and for good reason. A new head coach is in place after nearly 20 years, the roster is being remade by a wave of young faces, and the offense is especially fresh with 30-year-old coordinator Declan Doyle stepping into a role he has never handled before.
Jackson and Zay Flowers have already been vocal about how explosive this group can be, even calling Doyle a “genius” in passing. But Jackson also knows how much of this is still theory until the pads come on.
That’s why, after Saturday’s practice at the University of Maryland, he cooled things off a bit when asked about third-round receiver Ja’Kobi Lane. Jackson said he wants to see more before making a real judgment.
“I like to evaluate my players when the pads get on, when we are playing in games,” Jackson cautioned. “Practice - anybody can look good in practice, but I feel like he will be looking good in games as well."
That caution fits the moment in Baltimore. Jackson has clear trust with Flowers, and he has had a special connection with tight end Mark Andrews early in his career.
But Andrews is not the same athlete he once was, and Rashod Bateman’s career has been a mix of promise, injuries and inconsistency, even after a strong 2024. Beyond that, the group is still largely unproven.
For Jackson, the message to the younger receivers and everyone else trying to carve out a role is simple.
“I tell them, 'Lock in,’” Jackson explained. “You're in the NFL now. We're not in college anymore - it's next man up mentality."
The quarterback is also adjusting to a totally new system himself. Doyle’s offense draws from Sean Payton and Sean McVay, with an emphasis on under-center work, play action, motion and the ability to speed up or slow down depending on the situation. It’s a sharp turn from the shotgun-heavy NFL look that has dominated for years.
Jackson says he’s comfortable with the change.
“I am extremely comfortable with it,” Jackson said. “In youth football I was under center - I haven't been consistently under center since youth football. We did it here and there in the past, but with this balanced type of offense, I feel like it will help us out a lot - identifying the defense, really keeping the defense on their toes."
Kyle Hamilton already noted last week how smooth Jackson looked with the handoffs and footwork that come with the shift. Jackson likes what it can unlock, especially as a way to manipulate defenses and create bigger plays both through the air and on the ground.
For now, though, the real test is still ahead. The Ravens are moving toward a more intense stretch of camp, then the preseason debut, where veterans won’t be featured heavily and some of the scheme will stay under wraps. Even so, those reps should start sorting out the depth chart, giving Lane a chance to climb and helping Doyle determine whether he’ll be calling plays from the press box or the sideline.
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