Baltimore

Ravens

Spirits are reportedly high at Ravens practices. The veteran quarterback has attended more voluntary workouts than in previous years because he wants to learn the new system and terminology. Jackson believes Doyle’s creativity will lead to “a lot of explosiveness” this season, and they are reportedly keeping the defense guessing, thus far. We like to hear that. Ravens S Kyle Hamilton said Jackson, 29, “still moves like he’s at Louisville,” which is extremely encouraging, given the injury-impacted play we saw from Jackson last season. Jackson is a big-time bounce-back candidate heading into 2026.

The Ravens restructured Jackson’s contract earlier this offseason and he remains under contract through the 2027 season. Jackson opted not to attend some of the Ravens’ organized team activities at one point, which was thought to be a contract-related decision, but he ended up reporting late in May. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes made waves — and increased the quarterback market — with a two-year extension earlier today, bringing his annual average value up to $64 million. Waiting until next offseason to negotiate an extension could pay off for Jackson.

He cautions that there’s still a possibility the Ravens address the position late in free agency, as Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Deebo Samuel, and DeAndre Hopkins remain available. Still, he has the experience edge over the two rookie receivers and barring an injury stash situation it’s hard to understand the Ravens not keeping two players they just drafted. Considering Lamar Jackson’s history and the potential upside in Declan Doyle’s offense, Walker is an interesting buy in fantasy at this point — it’s just hard to make the case that he’s got a real floor.

He missed all of last season with an elbow injury. Isaac recorded one TFL in 2024 during 32 defensive snaps. The Ravens have largely covered their EDGE hole between Trey Hendrickson and Zion Young, but it sounds like Isaac won’t even be able to play a depth role in 2026 from where things stand today.

Buchanan tore an ACL in December. He’s at OTAs, but isn’t described as actively participating in The Athletic’s story. We’d expect him to be a PUP List possibility when training camp starts given how late his ACL tear happened, but it’s not completely off the table that he’s ready to work in August.

Madubuike is at the facility rehabbing and has been taking part “in aspects” of the offseason workout program. While the Ravens are publicly playing it coy about the odds of Madubuike playing next year, they certainly seem to believe there’s a real chance it happens. “In aspects” will probably need to become “in full” before anyone has real faith in him playing in September.

Jackson was otherwise mum on contract extension talks, saying he wants to “keep those conversations private.” He arrived at OTAs after missing the first few practices last week sparked speculation of contract disagreements; Jackson gave his first public press conference since the Ravens were eliminated in Week 18 last season on Wednesday. While he is due for an extension, Jackson and the Ravens were unable to come to an agreement earlier in the offseason and the team instead restructured the 29-year-old’s contract. There appears to be no tension as a result of extension talks, with Jackson saying he would “absolutely” want to stay in Baltimore and saying head coach Jesse Minter and his new staff feel like “a breath of fresh air.” With a new offense under OC Declan Doyle, Jackson is at OTAs to learn the playbook and get situated. A bounce-back 2026 season would increase the price on a potential new contract the Ravens would offer him in the future.

Jackson, who attended the team’s voluntary minicamp in April, did not show up for OTAs last week, prompting questions about whether his contract situation was a real issues headed into the 2026 season. New Ravens head coach Jesse Minter told reporters last week that he has talked with Jackson and that he knew when his franchise quarterback would decide to show up for OTAs as the team learns a new offense under OC Declan Doyle. Coming off a down year in 2025, Jackson will look to bounce back as a passer and as a runner in 2026.

Jackson has not always attended voluntary portions of the Ravens’ offseason program in years past, but did attend voluntary minicamp in April. The Ravens have been hoping to reach a new contract extension with the 29-year-old before the start of the season, though a deal is yet to emerge. New head coach Jesse Minter said, “we’ve had some great conversations; know when he’s going to be back.” Jackson seems to still be in good standing with the team and looks to be more involved with voluntary workouts under a new head coach. He has yet to arrive at OTAs, but Minter’s words demonstrate little concern just yet.

Best ball bros are officially frothing at the mouth to stack this contest, not that they needed another reason to draft players from two of the best offenses in the NFL. As Jordan Schultz notes, the Bengals have traveled to Baltimore for a primetime game in each of the past four seasons. Now they get to host a matchup that could determine the fate of the AFC North.