Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has already made a major change to the way he is playing under center, which could greatly benefit the offense.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is looking to take the next step, and it was his lack of evolution and struggles in 2025 that led to the exodus of longtime head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Jackson is a two-time MVP, and it is his ability to be dangerous in both the passing and running game that led to those accolades. However, Monken's ability to push him further may have stalled, leading to the hiring of Declan Doyle.
Doyle has already worked with Jackson in a significant way, leading to a major change in how the Ravens quarterback operates.
Through OTAs and minicamp, Doyle has received plenty of praise from players and fellow coaches, but one of his major jobs is to ensure that Jackson takes that next step. A way in which the offensive coordinator has done that is by having the signal caller play from under center more.
Jackson played in the shotgun and pistol formation a great deal under Monken, but the change to snapping the ball directly from the center has led to a better understanding of "progression."
Jackson spoke to the media ahead of the Ravens' Week 1 showdown with the Indianapolis Colts, and he spoke about how Doyle's changes have already impacted his game.
"I feel like it's, you know, it's helping with the progression," Jackson said. "I'm not, you know, hitting my back foot, stand on my back foot too long. It's helping throughout the progression reads within the plays. I feel like it's helped a lot."
Instead of Jackson having to play off his back foot, as he stated. Instead, he can stand firmly in the pocket and deliver the ball.
What will be interesting is how this new stance can aid Jackson's ability to run the ball. The Ravens passer admitted that injuries hampered his ability to rush in 2025, but he also indicated he doesn't care if Doyle asks him to take the ball more in 2026.
Jackson stated that initially he had to get used to the footwork within the plays, but the change in his stance has helped him a lot.
"The footwork fits the system, so that's why it's it's helping me out a lot," Jackson added.
The Ravens offense will need to reach a new level under Doyle and Minter, and show that the magic for the team did not leave when Harbaugh was fired and Monken joined the Cleveland Browns as head coach.
A way in which that can be proven is how the offense transforms and operates in this new system.
Jackson may still run the ball, but he also has a lot of weaponry that he has also has not had in previous years. Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Elijah Sarratt, Ja'Kobi Lane, Devontez Walker, and Mark Andrews are just a few of the names that will be there to help the offense keep churning out yards.
Doyle was not able to fully run the offense when he was with the Chicago Bears in 2025, as head coach Ben Johnson called the plays. Now, he can do exactly that, utilizing the Ravens and Lamar Jackson in a significant manner that could lead to some big success.
