Lamar Jackson Wants to Add ‘Extra Layers’ to Ravens’ Offense

The Baltimore Ravens took one step closer to making a Super Bowl in the Lamar Jackson era in 2023, but fell one game short of the finale. With an offseason to reflect on the campaign, Jackson is looking to make a change to the offense.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh had a conversation with Jackson about what can be done offensively to improve. Jackson suggested making more pre-snap changes at the line (via ESPN):

Everyone knows how dangerous Jackson can be when he is running the ball, as he is the best mobile quarterback in the league and might be the best in NFL history. Where he took major strides last season was in the passing game.

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He threw for a career-high 3,678 yards and a career-best 67.2% completion percentage in 16 games. Jackson also had 24 passing touchdowns against seven interceptions. In the running game, he had 821 yards and five touchdowns.

Baltimore has been stellar running the football over the last decade, as the ground game has largely been its identity. The team wanted to move to a more air-centric scheme last year, which paid off as Jackson attempted a career-high 457 passes in 2023.

This didn’t affect how successful the team was either, as the Ravens still won 13 games during the regular season, which is tied for the most since Jackson took over as the starting quarterback.

The offense has been moving away from their previous strategy of running the ball on 60-70% of their plays, seamlessly blending the passing game in over the course of last season. Jackson showed he was able to accurately throw the football and protect against turnovers.

Where the team would like to continue to build is with regards to stretching the passing game vertically down the field. That’s why Zay Flowers was drafted a couple of seasons ago, so they have that deep threat for Jackson to throw it to on offense. Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin spoke about taking the training wheels off Jackson as a passer:

Baltimore was fourth in scoring (number) and sixth in total offense (number) in 2023. This is an offensive unit that has the weapons to open up and vary the attack to give Jackson the flexibility and creativity to call whatever play he wants and be confident in his choice.

Letting him run the offense he wants will not only improve his leadership skills but give the players on offense more confidence that Jackson trusts them. This is a unit that will contend for a Super Bowl if Jackson stays healthy and continues to grow as a passer.

Source: ESPN

All stats courtesy of Pro Football Referenceunless stated otherwise.

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