Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson came into this season with plenty of questions. The Ravens star had a tough 2025 campaign, battling injuries that sapped his trademark mobility and forced him to take the highest sack rate of his career at 10.6 percent. But the Ravens spent their offseason trying to put him in a position to succeed, most notably with Jesse Minter’s decision to hire Declan Doyle as his offensive coordinator.
While it was a risky move trusting a 30-year-old to get the most out of Jackson, the initial test was passed with ease as Jackson completed 17-of-25 passes for 324 yards and a touchdown while running four times for 40 yards and another score in a 41-23 victory.
If anything, Doyle unleashed an MVP-caliber version of Jackson in Week 1 and it could be the beginning of a beautiful partnership that could put the rest of the NFL on notice.
Declan Doyle may have found the formula to unlock Lamar Jackson
Ravens fans know what Jackson can do when he’s healthy. The NFL’s MVP in the 2019 and 2023 seasons, Jackson has the passing ability of a franchise quarterback and the rushing ability of an elite running back. The combination made him one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks to watch, but things didn’t pan out last season as he battled through injury.
Jackson’s 63.6 percent completion rate was his lowest since 2022 and his 21 passing touchdowns was his fewest since throwing 17 scores during that campaign. Jackson’s 6.0 net yards per attempt were also his lowest since posting 6.0 net yards in 2022 but it was nothing compared to the loss of his rushing ability.
After averaging 956 yards per 17 games over his first eight seasons, Jackson only ran for 349 yards and two scores a year ago. Getting Jackson back to his dynamic roots – whether it was by air or by land – became a massive priority this offseason and it led to the hiring of Doyle.
Ben Johnson rightfully gets the credit for turbocharging the offense and getting the development of Caleb Williams back on track after a tough rookie year. But Doyle was a key component as his offensive coordinator, being heavily responsible for scheme and prep work, working closely with Williams on a day-to-day basis, helping Williams throw for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
With Williams also having a dual-threat toolset, the template for Jackson to succeed under Doyle was there entering this season and it came together in one beautiful package in Week 1.
Lamar Jackson could lead the Ravens’ most dangerous offense yet under Declan Doyle
Jackson’s passing stats were on point but it also came with plenty of big plays. The biggest highlight was a 54-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers and the two connected all day long with Flowers finishing with five catches for 150 yards before leaving the game with a hamstring injury.
Flowers wasn’t the only Ravens receiver that got involved as Jackson completed passes to nine different players and targeted 10 players on the afternoon.
This had the Colts’ defense on tilt and opened up things for the running game. Jackson benefitted with a five-yard run for Baltimore’s first score of the season but Derrick Henry also a force, finishing with 24 carries for 144 yards and three touchdowns.
Together, it’s an offense that has had its share of dynamic playmakers. But Week 1 makes it appear that Doyle has found the key to unlock everything. Flowers’s hamstring injury, which kept him out for the majority of the second half, is a concern, but Jackson could soften the blow if he plays like he did on Sunday.
If he keeps it up, Jackson could be in consideration for his third career MVP award and it could validate the Ravens’ decision to tab Doyle as their offensive coordinator.
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