No matter what, the Baltimore Ravens revolve around Lamar Jackson. He has the talent to take them to the promised land, but in recent years, both he and the team have fallen short. This offseason, they’ve surrounded their two-time MVP with the necessary pieces to return to the playoffs.
The Ravens should be dramatically better. The coaching is due for a massive leap, and the roster should follow in those footsteps. Additions like Trey Hendrickson, Vega Ioane, and Zion Young are just a few names who should help propel the Jackson-led Ravens back into contention.
However, one of the biggest contributors to Jackson’s success in 2026 might be a returning name. And someone who struggled last year: Tyler Loop. On an episode of Good Morning Football, Manti Te‘o spoke about why Loop is a shoulder for Jackson to lean on.
"“I think if [the Ravens] have confidence in Tyler Loop, you don’t have to go for it every time on fourth down. We can take the three instead of the seven ... Give some assurance to the head coach, Jesse Minter, that we can get the field goals.”"Manti Te‘o
Te‘o hit the nail on the head.
Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson need more from returning weapon
Look, it’s hard to take Lamar Jackson off the field once you cross the 50-yard line. Every coach in the NFL knows he’s a big play waiting to happen, and he’s capable of pretty much anything. He’s so good in those short-yardage situations that decisions to go for it look more like calculated risks than drive-deciding gambles. However, sometimes you just need to be smart and take the points.
It’s up to Tyler Loop to prove that he can be a reliable commodity when those moments arise. Yes, he made 30 of his 34 attempts last year, but his issues from distance were undeniable. He made just one of four attempts from 50-plus yards out. That’s a major issue, and if he can’t put an end to those troubles, then the Ravens aren’t going to be able to confidently trot the 24-year-old onto the field. It’ll either be time for The Lamar Show or a punt.
And we need to see Loop take that pressure off of Lamar Jackson. For pretty much his entire NFL career, Baltimore fans have had to watch Jackson play hero ball. He does tend to shine in those moments, but at 29 years old, he should no longer be put in that position consistently. Making the smarter call and walking away with three points rather than leaving it up to Jackson to keep the drive rolling should become more common in the Ravens' offense.
That’s especially true given Jackson’s recent injury history. Sure, a better offensive line should be in front of him in 2026. That’s awesome. He’s still going to take hits, though. And when it’s one of those do-or-die fourth-down plays, there’s an even higher chance of him being knocked to the ground. Every chance to keep him out of harm’s way is valuable. That’s another area where Loop can help. Loop needs to give new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle faith that when he's on the field, it will end up being a productive drive with points on the board.
Ultimately, Loop must take major strides. Coaches have already been encouraged by the strides he’s taken during Baltimore’s offseason program, and if he can carry that momentum into the regular season, Jackson and the rest of the offense should be in good hands.
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