Lamar Jackson adjusts to new Ravens offense in 2026

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is working through a new offensive system during the 2026 training camp in Owings Mills, Maryland, as coordinator Declan Doyle installs a different framework for the unit.

The shift is familiar territory for Jackson. Officials described it as the third time in his career he has had to adapt to a new scheme, and the two previous transitions preceded his NFL Most Valuable Player awards in 2019 and 2023.

Declan Doyle’s system changes Baltimore’s formation mix

Baltimore Ravens

The new structure is designed to increase efficiency and to change where Jackson takes snaps. The coaching staff is putting a greater emphasis on under-center plays, a notable adjustment for a quarterback who has spent the bulk of his career operating out of pistol or shotgun.

Data cited in the team’s discussion of the transition shows Jackson has taken 95 percent of his career snaps from pistol or shotgun formations. At the same time, he has posted an 81.2 QBR when lining up under center, which was described as the highest mark in the league since 2018 for snaps from that alignment.

Coaches are also seeking a different balance in how the offense functions. The stated aim is to use Jackson’s versatility to make the attack harder to predict, while reducing how often it depends on unscripted improvisation.

Early-camp execution issues, but rapid playbook uptake

Team officials and teammates said there have been early frustrations in training camp tied to the speed of execution. They also said Jackson has been absorbing the new playbook quickly as the install progresses.

Doyle’s approach places a premium on detailed footwork and on processing what defenses present before and after the snap. The staff’s objective is to make Jackson’s decisions more streamlined within the structure of the play, rather than forcing him to solve as many situations on the fly.

Tight end Mark Andrews pointed to Jackson’s day-to-day approach as the transition continues. Andrews said Jackson is driven to “push himself and learn and grow” inside the new scheme.

The Ravens’ internal focus is on maximizing Jackson’s specific skill set within a more defined system. While the season outcome remains unknown, the organization is leaning on the precedent that Jackson’s last two coordinator changes came ahead of his MVP seasons in 2019 and 2023.