Maybe — just maybe — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been listening.
Listening to the critics who say he might be past his prime. Listening to wet-behind-the-ears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who ran his mouth about Jackson’s commitment to the team in the most passive-aggressive way possible. Listening to everyone who said he needed to be there for offseason workouts.
Lo and behold, the Ravens posted a slow motion video of Jackson walking into the team’s practice facility on Monday, which was the 1st day of any sort of official team activities under 1st year head coach Jesse Minter.
“Lamar Jackson has arrived for the Ravens’ first day of their off-season workout program,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account.
Jackson’s timing was incredible in relation to ESPN’s Monday morning broadcast, where a segment was just finishing that saw some widespread criticism of Jackson not showing up to offseason workouts in the past, only to see him make a surprise appearance.
“Everyone echoes what Lamar Jackson does,” ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky said. “This is a good start for the organization under new head coach Jesse Minter.”
“Him being here the first day sets the tempo for everyone in the organization,” ESPN analyst and former NFL defensive lineman Chris Canty said.
Lamar Jackson Coming Off Worst NFL Season
Jackson showing up — and the Ravens’ quick social media post — came just minutes after Orlovsky made some very valid criticisms of Jackson’s play in 2025.
The Ravens entered 2025 as Super Bowl contenders but went 8-9 and missed the playoffs as a big divide between former head coach John Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and Jackson revealed itself.
Harbaugh was fired and became head coach of the New York Giants. Monken became head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Only Jackson remains, and Harbaugh’s replacement, Minter, is a former Ravens defensive assistant.
“This is the second act of Lamar’s career, and it should be the start of Lamar’s prime,” Orlovsky said. “I don’t want to overreact, but this is a brand-new beginning (with Minter) and Lamar is coming off the 1st time in your NFL career where you were a starter and had a losing record. It was a wildly unsuccessful season in Baltimore.”
Ravens Fans React to Lamar Jackson Showing Up
Among Ravens fans and almost anyone associated with the NFL or the Ravens, the reaction to Jackson showing up to the start of OTAs was something along the lines of unbridled joy.
“Now all you goofs can shut your trap about 8,” Ravens fan Khabaxi wrote on their official X account.
“It’s slow mo entrance season,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account.
“FIRST DAY OF RAVENS OFFSEASON PROGRAMS” Ravens Nation Live wrote on its official X account. “QB1 IS IN ATTENDANCE. LET’S ROLL.”
Jackson, who signed a 5-year, $263.5 million contract before the 2023 season, has been notoriously absent from OTAs for most of his career.
“Lamar showing up to the facility in April so I don’t gotta listen to people say he’s not locked in,” Ravens fan Hoodie Ramey wrote on their official X account.
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