Some of your grandfathers and grandmothers, fathers and mothers, and older siblings are probably in the same boat. They wouldn’t recognize their Baltimore Ravens if they, for some reason, got busy and hadn’t had a chance to watch in a while.
Once upon a time, the ‘faces’ of this franchise played on the defense. Who can forget about the legends: Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs? But this isn’t your grandfather’s Ravens. The flock wins many of its games with its offense now, and there’s a chance it will be more powerful during the 2025-26 NFL season.
Make no mistake. There are stars on the Ravens’ defense too, but this team belongs to Lamar Jackson. This organization rests safely in his more than capable hands. One of his top weapons is back, and even though it’s only June, excitement is brewing at the Under Armour Performance Center.
Lamar Jackson gets one of his weapons back, and the rest of the NFL may not be ready.
Year three approaches for the Zay Flowers experiment, and things seem to be going just about as well as expected. Depending on the observer’s paradigm, some might say he’s ahead of schedule or right on time, that is until a knee injury sidelined him through the postseason.
Zay’s NFL resume is already impressive: a 2024 Pro Bowl nod, the Ravens’ rookie record for most receiving yards by a wide receiver (858), and the franchise record for the most receptions by a rookie wide receiver (77). The summer has brought good news. He’s fully healthy and recovered from his injury, and the offensive coordinator is already pumped about the possibilities:
“We’ve just got to get him the ball more. He’s an unbelievable football player. He’s not only an outside receiver that has elite route-running skills, but he’s unbelievable with the ball in his hands. So, you have a guy that really plays two spots.”
Those were the words of Todd Monken taken from the official team site. It sounds like it will be a big year for Baltimore’s talented wideout.
“I’m not sure he can use that in his contract negotiations, but I’m just saying you can use him in a variety of roles to get him the ball, which allows your volume to go up. He’s a volume catch guy. You can use him in novelty screens, getting him the ball down the field. I expect him to take another leap. When you make it to the Pro Bowl, or you’re an All-Pro, you’re pretty good.”
If you’re feeling the excitement, you’re well within your rights. Zay is part of a balanced and loaded attack. Baltimore has no shortage of weapons on offense. Flowers and DeAndre Hopkins have already built a bond. Derrick Henry and Rashod Bateman both got paid this offseason. Some of the other Ravens stars are certain to follow suit.
Isaiah Likely, Mark Andrews, and Charlie Kolar comprise the deepest tight end room in the game. The aforementioned Lamar Jackson is the maestro of what should be a very beautiful symphony. Expect big things from Flowers. Another Pro Bowl nod is possible. Based on what Coach Monken is saying, it may not be unwise to expect one.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens plan to let Zay Flowers loose after late-season injury setback