The Baltimore Ravens might be entering a new era in 2026, but this team still revolves around Lamar Jackson. When you have a two-time MVP quarterback, you’re going to build the team around him, and the organization did exactly that this offseason, letting him play a key role in the coaching search.
Still, with that in mind, there’s a bit more pressure on Jackson than usual. It’s not just about breaking through the playoff dam. There’s tension on and off the field.
In a recent article for CBS Sports, Zachary Pereles highlighted the top storyline for each team this offseason, and for the Ravens, it’s Lamar Jackson’s unique situation for 2026. Specifically, it’s the new offensive scheme and his ongoing contract talks.
"“...Lamar Jackson will have all the eyes on him once again. New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle will place him under center more than he's used to, and there's also the contract extension issue looming in the background.”"Zachary Pereles
Clearly, Jackson is going to be put to the test. And it goes deeper than just the fit with Doyle and contract questions.
Baltimore Ravens’ 2026 outlook pins major questions on Lamar Jackson
You could make the case that four big questions lie on Lamar Jackson’s shoulders this year.
There were major changes on the coaching front; Jackson and the team have yet to resolve his need for a new contract; he’s coming off an injury-riddled campaign, and there will be a new center snapping the football to him.
Obviously, the biggest question will be how Jackson adjusts to the new coaching staff. That goes for everyone on the roster, but as the starting quarterback, most of the attention will naturally fall on Jackson. And while he’s accustomed to working with a new offensive coordinator—he’s had three of them entering his ninth season—this is an almost completely new coaching staff. His relationship with new head coach Jesse Minter will matter just as much. It sounds like Minter and Jackson have hit it off, but it will remain a big adjustment for Jackson.
The weight of the contract negotiations also isn’t a foreign place for Jackson. He went through similar trials and tribulations with contract negotiations from 2022 to 2023, and the two sides ultimately agreed upon a market-setting deal. This time around might be a little different, though. Age, injuries, and the pressure of a new coaching staff could all play a factor, but if we’re being honest, this is probably something the front office is more concerned about than the 29-year-old. Jackson can't play on that 2027 cap hit, so something needs to be done within the next year. His 2026 play could play a key factor in his ultimate price.
As for the injuries, Jackson has fought those off before. He’s shown in the past that he can bounce back from injuries and continue to play at an MVP level. He also has what appears to be a very solid guard duo playing in front of him this season. Regardless, durability questions have been raised this offseason as he nears 30 years old. It’s a fairly valid question, but not one that Jackson should have any issues answering.
Here’s quite possibly the biggest challenge for 2026, though: the center problem. It’s a problem for the entire offense, but with Jackson being thrown under center more due to Doyle’s play-action tendencies, he’ll have to feel out most of the shift. After getting Pro Bowl-level play from Tyler Linderbaum for the past four years, Jackson will be receiving the ball from an unproven center. Whether that’s Jovaughn Gwyn or Danny Pinter remains unknown, but it’s certainly the most problematic issue that could affect Jackson.
Of course, this is really nothing for Lamar Jackson. He consistently proves every year that he’s one of the top three quarterbacks in the NFL, and can prove to be nearly unstoppable. 2026 should be no different.
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