With much of their coaching staff now in place, attention in the Ravens’ case will increasingly turn toward free agency. Several internal decisions will need to be made, and working out a new Lamar Jackson extension remains a priority. 
Since Jackson’s 2023 extension was signed, this offseason has loomed as the logical point for a new pact to be worked out. 2026 is scheduled to include a $74.5MM cap charge in his case without an adjustment of some kind. A restructure could be an option, but flattening that cap figure by means of an extension prior to the start of free agency is still seen as Baltimore’s goal.
Any thoughts about a potential Jackson trade can be put to rest, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes (video link). A swap would of course come as a major surprise with Jackson being on the books for another two years. The franchise once again illustrated how central the two-time MVP is in a number of areas of its operation during recent weeks. Jackson took part during the first (virtual) round of head coaching interviews, per Garafolo. He also confirms the Ravens’ offensive coordinator search included input from Jackson.
Baltimore took the route many expected by hiring Jesse Minter as head coach. The highly-acclaimed defensive mind will calls plays on that side of the ball, leaving much on the shoulders of his first OC. Declan Doyle departed Chicago after a one-year Bears stint. The 29-year-old did not call plays while working under Ben Johnson, and the ability to do so with the Ravens drove his decision to head to Baltimore. Needless to say, the connection between Doyle and Jackson will be something to watch closely as the 2026 season plays out.
Immediate success will be the expectation for Minter and the rest of his staff as Baltimore looks to return to the postseason next year. A clean slate on the health front will be a major goal for Jackson, who missed four games in 2025 and was limited in others while dealing with various injuries. By the time his age-29 campaign begins, another new contract at or near the top of the quarterback market could very well be in hand.
I have always been in awe of Lamar’s athletic ability. He is so fun to watch when he is fully healthy.
It will be interesting to follow what direction this franchise takes now.
Lamar ran a Super Bowl winning coach out of town who was subsequently hired within a week of his dismissal. Pressure is squarely on Lamar’s shoulders to justify the direction the franchise chose to follow.
Being fired was entirely on Harbaugh. Lamar chokes plenty, sure, but Harbaugh’s refusal to control his poor coordinators last year led to his firing.