Lamar Jackson walked into the Under Armour Performance Center on Monday morning, answering the Baltimore Ravens’ most pressing offseason question without throwing a single pass. The two-time NFL MVP reported for Phase 1 of the team’s voluntary offseason workouts. This marks a massive departure from his usual spring routine and sets a definitive tone for a franchise undergoing a dramatic schematic overhaul.
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Jackson historically avoids early offseason activities. He attended only one of nine organized team activities last year, opting instead to train privately in South Florida while contract talks hung over the franchise. His arrival on day one sends a clear message throughout the entire organization that he is fully bought into what Baltimore is building under first-year head coach Jesse Minter.
The Ravens are installing a brand-new offensive system this spring. Minter brought over 29-year-old Declan Doyle from the Chicago Bears to serve as offensive coordinator. Doyle is a first-time play-caller tasked with returning Baltimore to the top of the league’s rushing and scoring leaderboards.
Fans can expect a physical rushing attack, plenty of under-center snaps, and heavy play-action concepts. Doyle arrives with an impressive resume after working as a disciple of Ben Johnson and Sean Payton. He helped the Bears boast the NFL’s third-best rushing attack and a top-10 passing game in 2025, maximizing Caleb Williams in the process. He gave the Bears a top 10 offense according to PFSN’s Offensive Impact metric.
These concepts are not foreign to Jackson, but the terminology and weekly game plans will look entirely different than they did under the previous regime. Doyle needs his quarterback in the building to translate the playbook to the field. Jackson stepping through the doors in early April gives the young coordinator exactly what he needs to lay the foundation for a bounce-back campaign.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently shared his thoughts on Jackson’s contract and he said that “there’s no known deal imminent right now.”
“The Ravens had hoped to reach a contract before free agency,” Fowler continued. “They’ve been motivated to do so. They did not. But to Dwood’s (Damien Woody) point, him showing up is a big sign… He has not been a fixture in the building this time of year in the past. So him showing up, stepping into the building seems to be a sign of good faith that maybe they can get something done.”
“The countdown is now on, though, because he’s got 23 months until he’s a free agent,” Fowler added. “That seems like a long time. It’s really not because if he gets to this year and plays out this year without a new deal, then it’s like you’re a year from free agency. Does he just go and try to hit the market or force his issue with the trade?”
Fowler also mentioned that “the Ravens are motivated to get something done” with Jackson available in the building.
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While the playbook is new, the business narrative surrounding Jackson feels incredibly familiar. He has exactly 23 months until he becomes a free agent following the 2027 season.
The front office hoped to reach a new contract agreement before free agency opened last month, but it missed that target. Jackson is scheduled to carry a massive $52 million cash schedule in both 2026 and 2027. If he plays out this season without a new deal, he enters next spring essentially a year away from hitting the open market.
That tight timeline forces conversations about potential holdouts or trade demands, strategies Jackson has largely avoided thus far.
Jackson holds immense leverage over the organization. He could have forced the issue by staying home and demanding a market-resetting extension before taking a single snap for Minter. Some around the league openly wondered if he would take that exact route.
Instead, he chose to show up and lead this new-look roster from the front. Jackson is betting on himself to master Doyle’s offense and drive his price tag even higher. The pressure now shifts to general manager Eric DeCosta to match his quarterback’s commitment at the negotiating table before the regular season kicks off.
