Lamar Jackson, Kyle Hamilton fired up as Baltimore Ravens begin Minter era in 2026

Lamar Jackson is a man on a mission, Zay Flowers sounds locked in, and Kyle Hamilton is out to right some wrongs on the defense.

Here's what the new-look Ravens had to say in the first week of voluntary workouts.

Lamar Jackson determined to end ring drought

Quarterback Jackson is eager to put last year behind him, and his teammates can see the fire in his belly.

"He is ready, man. I feel like we answer that every year, and he is always ready. So, he's even more ready this year," said wideout Zay Flowers on the team website.

After a disastrous 1-5 start to the 2025 season, the Ravens finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

According to Flowers, there's a hunger in Jackson to right those wrongs, and it starts with new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who joined the team in February after serving as the offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears.

"He [Jackson] is excited about the coaching staff. He's excited about getting to work with Coach Declan [Doyle]. He wants to finish. He wants to get a ring."

Tight end Mark Andrews is equally impressed by Doyle.

"Just being around him the few short days, [he] seems like an incredibly dynamic person. He said he prides himself on being a teacher."

Kyle Hamilton: Ravens' defense must fix standards

A major reason why the Ravens failed to meet expectations last year was the failings of the defense. Star safety Kyle Hamilton met that point head-on.

"The standard has not been met and upheld," the All-Pro safety said Wednesday. "We need to fix that."

Hamilton believes Minter can be instrumental in turning things around.

"No egos at all, he's very humble, very smart, and doesn't point the finger. And I think that's somebody we all wanted and needed."

"It's been everything and more so far. I'm just excited for a new era of Ravens football."

Rob Carr / Staff

My take: Does a new Ravens era = success?

The talent isn't in question. Jackson is the best quarterback in football when he's on his game, Flowers is coming off the best season of his career, and a healthy Ravens defense - with Trey Hendrickson now added to their ranks - can be a dominant group.

Minter has never run a team before, but everything about this week suggested he's not going to be fazed by the responsibility. It also speaks volumes that the locker room is bought in.

But Baltimore has been optimistic in the spring and out in January too often in recent years, so we should reserve judgment until we see evidence of that improvement. The proof is in the pudding, so they say.

For now, the mood is right. Jackson is hungry. The question, as ever, is whether Baltimore can turn a promising offseason into a successful postseason run.