The Baltimore Ravens have built one of the NFL’s most successful offenses around Lamar Jackson, a dominant running game, and a physical identity that often featured heavy personnel packages and a fullback. That formula is beginning to evolve, and it’ll be no more.
Speaking on the C4 and Bryan Nehman Show, general manager Eric DeCosta offered perhaps the clearest glimpse yet into how Baltimore’s offense could look under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. The Ravens are not abandoning their roots. They still expect to run the football effectively and leverage one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks. But the structure of the offense appears poised to change.
“Formationally, I think you’ll see us in three and four wide receivers, probably a little bit more,” DeCosta said. “We won’t be using, as you alluded to, a fullback.”
That statement alone represents a significant shift. For years, Baltimore utilized fullback-heavy formations that often signaled run concepts before the ball was snapped. Doyle’s offense appears designed to create more uncertainty for opposing defenses. Instead of relying on predictable personnel groupings, the Ravens plan to feature multiple tight ends, spread formations, and interchangeable skill players capable of executing a variety of assignments.
“The idea would be really to create sort of a surprise element to the offense where defenses really don’t get a sense of what we’re trying to do in any given play,” DeCosta explained. Veteran tight end Durham Smythe recently echoed that philosophy, noting that many of Baltimore’s new concepts are designed to look identical before the snap, forcing defenders to diagnose plays after the ball is already in motion. The personnel moves support that vision.
Baltimore used the 2026 NFL draft to add wide receivers Elijah Sarratt and Ja’Kobi Lane, two prospects known for their physicality and ability to win contested catches. Rather than targeting pure speed, the Ravens prioritized receivers capable of making difficult plays in traffic and converting critical third downs and red-zone opportunities.
The approach gives Jackson additional answers when throwing into tight coverage.
Early offseason practices suggest the quarterback is already developing chemistry with both rookies. While spring workouts rarely provide definitive conclusions, the early connection reflects a broader effort to expand the passing game’s flexibility.
The offensive line is another factor.
DeCosta expressed confidence in tackles Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten while praising the development of Baltimore’s guard position. The Ravens still need to resolve questions at center after failing to land their preferred targets during the draft, but DeCosta made it clear the organization is exploring additional options through free agency and potential trades.
If the offensive line holds up, Baltimore could feature a more aggressive passing attack than in previous seasons.
That possibility has fueled optimism surrounding Doyle’s arrival. The 29-year-old coordinator learned under Sean Payton and Ben Johnson, two offensive minds known for creating matchup advantages through formation diversity and personnel flexibility. The blueprint is becoming increasingly clear. More spacing. More versatility. More disguise. More opportunities for Lamar Jackson to attack defenses from multiple angles.
The Ravens believe they have assembled one of the NFL’s deepest collections of offensive talent. Now they are building a system designed to maximize it.
If the transition succeeds, Baltimore’s offense could be one of the league’s most difficult units to defend in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Baltimore Ravens embracing new offensive identity under Declan Doyle
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