For example, look at quarterback Lamar Jackson’s career trends. He has only played a full season once in eight years and has only been healthy enough to do so three times (he sat out the regular season finales in 2023 and 2019). In both 2021 and 2022, Jackson missed the last month (or more) of the season due to injury, leading to an 8-9 finish and missing a home run in 2021, forcing the Ravens to turn to Tyler Huntley before losing to Cincinnati on Wild Card weekend in 2022.
No matter the unfortunate circumstances, time doesn’t stop for anyone. Jackson is now 29 years old, in the prime of his career, but the same questions swirl around him as the Ravens’ unfulfilled potential.
Jackson’s injury history is far from the only example, but Flowers’ argument doesn’t quite hold up when juxtaposed against the 2025 season, Harbaugh’s final game in Baltimore. The Ravens’ injuries piled up much earlier than usual last year, as defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike’s neck ailment (along with Broderick Washington’s season-ending injury) left a gaping hole in the Ravens’ defensive performance and wiped out their ability to stop the run. Cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Chidobe Awuzie both missed time in October with lower-body injuries.
It seems the Ravens have lost the heart of their team. The ensuing upset — and their late-season push to the playoffs — marked the end of Harbaugh’s tenure and opened the door for new coach Jesse Minter to arrive.
Flowers believes Minter’s familiarity with the Ravens’ culture — built by Harbaugh, of course — will blend well with his updated approach and create practices that are friendlier to player health. In fact, it was a priority when Flowers first met with Minter after he was hired.
“[Minter] know how we worked with Harbaugh,” Flowers said. “So, he’s like, ‘You’re going to get your work done, but it’s going to be a little easier on your body. You’ll be fresher for the game.'”
Balancing work and stress management can be a delicate exercise, especially for first-time coaches. It will be among the many duties that now fall on Minter’s shoulders.
Fortunately, he is not entering a completely new environment. Minter served as an assistant under Harbaugh from 2017 to 2020, and despite his honest criticism, Flowers appreciates that connection and makes sure to praise Harbaugh for the same podcast appearance.
“The way he prepared for games, he can prepare anybody,” Flowers said of Harbaugh. “He’s good at getting you ready to go play. Not just speeches, just the way we practiced. The way he gets you ready to go play and hit and do your job.”
We’ll see if Minter’s approach leads to a healthier campaign for the Ravens in 2026. Their final outcome could depend on it.