When the Baltimore Ravens decided to go in a different direction on the coaching front, one player was at the center of attention: Lamar Jackson. With a two-time MVP under center, you have to capitalize on his prime. That’s exactly what the Ravens set out to do this offseason.
Jackson was a big part of the coaching search. The team made sure to update him on candidates and included him in virtual interviews. Eventually, Jesse Minter and Declan Doyle became the apples of Baltimore’s and Jackson’s eye.
And all offseason, the new coaching staff has been doing everything they can to put Jackson in the best position possible for 2026. They still are. Specifically, Doyle has been putting in countless hours with Jackson.
With how often they’re meeting, they might develop a psychic connection.
Baltimore Ravens OC Declan Doyle is putting in the work to get the best out of Lamar Jackson
In the process of building a new foundation, you must put your star players at the forefront. This Ravens team revolves around Lamar Jackson. Whether it be the old coaching staff, his teammates, or the new coaching staff, they all agree this team flies with Jackson.
Jackson is simply one of the most talented players in the NFL. There’s no debating that. He can put the team on his back effortlessly at times, and it’s up to his teammates and coaches to hold up their end of the bargain.
For the 30-year-old Declan Doyle, he’s putting his time in to ensure the offense flows freely through Jackson. Back when Doyle was hired, the two spent over an hour discussing their vision and what he needed to do to tailor the offense to Jackson.
That unwavering desire to build something special hasn’t stopped.
On Wednesday, Doyle spoke about his continued meetings with Jackson.
“Following all those [offensive] meetings, [Jackson] and I sit down one-on-one in my office," Doyle said. "It takes as long as it takes. I explained that to him, ‘I don’t always want to hold you hostage but I need to know what you’re feeling.’...Trying to make sure that line of communication stays open and make sure that his opinion is valued. When we're calling plays in a game, I never wanna call a play that he doesn't feel great about."
This doesn’t stop ahead of the regular season. Doyle’s in it for the long haul. He’s going to meet with Jackson for as much as necessary to understand what Jackson likes and how he’s feeling at any given moment.
It’s clear that in Doyle’s first season as the lead play-caller, he's not taking it lightly. He’s going to find success and help mold Jackson into his best self by any means necessary. Checking off those communication boundaries is the first step.
An offense led by Lamar Jackson is already dangerous. Throw in a seamless connection with his offensive coordinator, and things could get even scarier.
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