The Baltimore Ravens are in the middle of a pivotal offseason, and Lamar Jackson is making sure his voice is heard. With John Harbaugh out and now taking over as head coach of the New York Giants, the Ravens are not just searching for a new leader-they're shaping the future of their franchise. And Jackson, the two-time MVP and face of the team, is reportedly playing an active role in that process.
According to insider reports, Jackson has a clear preference for who he wants calling plays if Baltimore ends up hiring a defensive-minded head coach: Kliff Kingsbury. The former Arizona Cardinals head coach and most recently the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders is now a free agent, and Jackson-along with several of his receivers-is said to be strongly advocating for Kingsbury to take over the Ravens' offense.
“He’s a name that’s come up a lot,” said NFL insider Dianna Russini during an appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. “Lamar Jackson and those receivers would like Kliff Kingsbury to run their offense.
They’ve shown support, they’ve been vocal about it. They’ve even been part of some of these interviews.”
That last part is especially notable. Jackson isn’t just lobbying from the sidelines-he’s in the room, virtually at least.
Sources say he’s been Zooming into interviews and staying closely connected with the team’s decision-makers. That level of involvement speaks volumes about both his influence within the organization and the importance of getting this hire right.
Kingsbury, 46, brings a résumé that’s heavy on offensive innovation. He made his name at Texas Tech as head coach, then had a brief stint at USC before jumping to the NFL with the Cardinals.
After his four-year run in Arizona ended, he returned to USC as a quarterbacks coach before landing with the Commanders in 2024. Now, he’s back on the market-and very much on Jackson’s radar.
For a Ravens offense that’s been electric at times but inconsistent in others, especially through the air, Kingsbury’s system could be the kind of spark they’re looking for. His track record with quarterbacks is well-documented, and pairing his playbook with Jackson’s dual-threat capabilities is an intriguing possibility.
There’s also been some noise around Jackson’s future in Baltimore, with his name surfacing in trade rumors. But if this level of involvement in the coaching search is any indication, he’s not planning on going anywhere. He’s invested-and he wants to win in Baltimore.
The Ravens have a big decision ahead, and it’s clear their franchise quarterback wants a seat at the table. Whether they go with an offensive or defensive head coach, don’t be surprised if Kliff Kingsbury ends up as a key part of the next chapter in Baltimore.