Updated July 24, 2026, 10:09 a.m. ET
Jesse Minter did not need a complicated answer when asked about Zay Flowers’ importance to the Baltimore Ravens offense.
The Ravens’ new head coach made the priority clear during an appearance on “The Lounge” podcast, saying Baltimore wants to get Flowers the ball “as many ways as possible.” He then added the line that should matter most entering training camp. “The more that guy touches the ball, the better we’ll be.”
That is not just praise. It is a clear offensive directive. Flowers has already established himself as Baltimore’s No. 1 wide receiver and one of the NFL’s most dangerous players with the ball in his hands.
His quickness, acceleration and change-of-direction ability make him difficult to defend on traditional routes, but his value extends beyond standard targets. Screens, jet motion, option routes, quick throws, deep shots, and designed touches all give the Ravens ways to stress defenses without straying from their physical identity. That matters as offensive coordinator Declan Doyle continues shaping the next version of Baltimore’s offense around Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. The Ravens will always begin with Jackson’s rare dual-threat skill set and Henry’s power running. Flowers gives them a different kind of problem for defenses. If opponents load the box to slow Henry, Flowers can punish space on the perimeter.
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If defenses sit back to prevent explosive plays, Baltimore can use quick touches to let him create after the catch. If coordinators overcommit to Jackson’s mobility, Flowers becomes even more dangerous against favorable coverage. The Ravens do not need to turn Flowers into a volume receiver at the expense of balance. They need to make sure one of their most explosive players consistently influences games. Minter’s comment suggests Baltimore understands that.
For a team with Super Bowl expectations, maximizing stars is not optional. Jackson is the engine, Henry is the hammer, and Flowers may be the player who helps the Ravens’ offense become even harder to defend. The formula is simple. More Zay Flowers should mean more problems for everyone else.
