A new era is set to begin for the Baltimore Ravens in 2026. After firing John Harbaugh in the wake of their crushing Week 18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens hired former Los Angeles Chargers‘ defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to replace him as their new head coach. Minter will now be tasked with leading Baltimore back to the Super Bowl, which Harbaugh was unable to do during his time working with Lamar Jackson as his quarterback.
One of Minter’s most important additions to his coaching staff was Declan Doyle, who will be his offensive coordinator after he spent the 2025 campaign working in the same role for the Chicago Bears. Doyle will be tasked with helping get the Ravens’ offense back on track, and that starts with Jackson. According to some recent comments from Doyle, though, it sounds like he’s already got a plan for how he will utilize Jackson in the upcoming season.
Declan Doyle Dishes on Lamar Jackson
Ever since taking over as Baltimore’s starting quarterback in 2019, Jackson has been one of the most explosive playmakers in the NFL. He’s earned four Pro Bowl selections, three All-Pro First Team honors, and a pair of MVP Awards. And yet, he has very little postseason success to show for, despite all that he has accomplished during the regular season.
Jackson has just a 3-5 record in eight playoff games, and his numbers aren’t particularly great when the lights are at their brightest. While Jackson has run for an astounding 641 yards and three touchdowns on 94 carries in these games, his passing numbers aren’t great (146/241, 1,753 YDS, 10 TD, 7 INT).
Finding a way to help Jackson play at his best in the Ravens’ biggest games is going to be one of Doyle’s top tasks upon his arrival in Baltimore. When asked about his new quarterback, Doyle admitted that even though he is well aware of just how good Jackson already is, he believes there’s another level he can help the former Louisville Cardinals star reach in 2026.
“I think he’s certainly talented in a number of ways,” Doyle said of Jackson on “The Lounge Podcast.” “When you watch the tape, there’s not really any throws that he can’t make; he’s very talented. I think there’s a number of things that you watch that I think he can get even better. I think there’s an even higher ceiling to his game … I think he still has room to grow.”
Declan Doyle Looking to Help Lamar Jackson Continue to Develop
GettyNew Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle during his last summer with the Chicago Bears.
The concept of Jackson improving may seem ludicrous, but there’s no such thing as a perfect player in the NFL. Heck, the Ravens didn’t even make the playoffs last season, and while Jackson spent the year battling injuries, he certainly could have played better under center. Getting the most out of Jackson will be key in determining just how effective Doyle is in his first year with the team.
Getting Jackson more involved as a runner will likely be on the top of Doyle’s to-do list, but he clearly believes he’s more than capable of making plays under center with his arm, too. The Ravens have a lot of work to do when it comes to their new coaching staff maximizing their roster, but if all goes according to plan, Jackson could be in store for quite the bounce-back campaign now that Doyle is in town.
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