The Baltimore Ravens returned to action with the start of their mandatory minicamp, and all eyes were on three of the most influential figures in the organization: quarterbacks coach Tee Martin, quarterback Lamar Jackson, and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. After a pivotal Day 1, the trio addressed the media, offering insight into the team’s mindset, offseason development, and expectations heading into a season filled with urgency and ambition.
Quarterbacks coach Tee Martin stepped to the podium first, bringing with him a sense of confidence and purpose. Martin, who has been instrumental in shaping Lamar Jackson’s evolution as a passer, didn’t mince words when asked about the state of the quarterback room. “This is the best I’ve seen Lamar coming into camp,” Martin said with a composed smile. “Mentally, physically, emotionally—he’s locked in.” According to Martin, the emphasis this offseason has been on precision, timing, and mastering the nuances of the offense. While Jackson’s athletic gifts have always been extraordinary, Martin’s focus has been to sharpen the areas of his game that elevate him from dynamic to surgical. “He’s reading coverages quicker, he’s getting the ball out faster, and the ball placement has been outstanding,” Martin added.
The coach also highlighted how critical leadership is for a franchise quarterback. “Lamar’s not just the face of our offense—he’s the voice in the locker room now. His maturity has taken a major leap,” Martin said. With a new collection of targets and refined offensive schemes, Martin stressed that the Ravens are giving Jackson the freedom to command the huddle and the creativity to adjust on the fly. “We’re empowering him,” Martin said. “We’re not just coaching him—we’re collaborating.”
When Lamar Jackson finally took his turn in front of the cameras, his demeanor was calm but assured. Gone was the offseason speculation, the media noise, and the back-and-forth debates about contracts or styles of play. Now, it’s about football—and Lamar made that clear from his first words. “It feels good to be back,” Jackson said. “We got a chip on our shoulder, for real.” After a season that ended with heartbreak in the AFC Championship, Jackson said the team is more motivated than ever. “We know how close we were. We felt like we let one get away.”
Asked about his chemistry with the wide receivers, especially with veteran newcomer DeAndre Hopkins now in the mix, Jackson grinned. “Man, it’s different. D-Hop’s a dog,” he said. “The way he runs routes, the way he sees the field—he’s already making us better.” Jackson noted that the connection is still developing, but the early signs are positive. “It’s not forced. It’s natural,” he said. “He’s where I need him to be. He knows how to get open, even when it’s tight. That’s a quarterback’s best friend.”
Jackson also spoke glowingly about his time with Tee Martin, praising the coach’s attention to detail and teaching style. “Coach Tee’s been huge. He’s helped me clean up the small stuff—footwork, reads, even how I carry myself when things aren’t perfect.” According to Jackson, the two have built a strong rapport that goes beyond Xs and Os. “He challenges me, but he believes in me too. That balance keeps me growing.”
As for the bigger picture, Jackson made no secret of the team’s aspirations. “We’re not trying to make playoffs—we’re trying to win it all,” he said. “AFC North is tough, but we feel like we’re tougher.” When asked about the pressure that comes with those expectations, Jackson shrugged. “Pressure? Nah. That’s part of being great. We welcome it.”
Then came DeAndre Hopkins, fresh off a strong Day 1 showing that left teammates and coaches buzzing. While some speculated how the veteran receiver would fit into the Ravens’ system, Hopkins was quick to silence doubts. “I’m here to win,” Hopkins stated bluntly. “Everything else is noise.” He spoke about his offseason decision to join the Ravens, citing the chance to play with a quarterback like Jackson and a culture built on accountability and toughness. “Lamar’s got that it-factor,” Hopkins said. “You feel it in the huddle, in the locker room, and even in walkthroughs. That’s the kind of guy you want to go to war with.”
Hopkins emphasized that the transition has been smooth, partly because of the leadership of both Jackson and the coaching staff. “Coach Tee’s been on point. He’s making sure we’re all on the same page, especially with timing and terminology,” Hopkins explained. “And Lamar—he’s always asking questions, always working. That kind of energy is contagious.”
While Hopkins has made a career out of highlight-reel catches and jaw-dropping performances, he made it clear that this chapter is about more than just personal stats. “I’ve done the Pro Bowls. I’ve done the numbers. This is about the ring,” he said. “We got the pieces here. Now it’s about execution.” Hopkins also praised the younger receivers in the room, calling them “hungry and sharp,” and expressed his excitement about mentoring them. “I see a lot of myself in those guys,” he said. “They want to be great, and that keeps me motivated.”
Perhaps most notably, Hopkins dismissed the notion that he might have lost a step. “Let the tape talk,” he said, eyes narrowing. “You’ll see what I got left.” If Day 1 was any indication, Hopkins looks every bit the All-Pro playmaker of years past, routinely creating separation and hauling in contested catches with ease.
As the press conference wrapped up, it was clear that the Ravens’ core is locked in. From Tee Martin’s teaching and tactical evolution, to Lamar Jackson’s sharpened leadership and growing mastery of the offense, to DeAndre Hopkins’ hunger and elite skill set—Baltimore is in sync. There’s a palpable sense of mission around the team, one that isn’t defined by flash but by focus. These aren’t empty words at a podium. This is a locker room with scars from near misses and a fire fueled by unfinished business.
The first day of minicamp is usually more symbolic than substantive, a marker of the journey ahead. But for the Ravens, it felt like the beginning of something real. You could see it in the way Lamar Jackson threw tight spirals with rhythm and confidence. You could feel it in the way Tee Martin communicated with players, not as a lecturer but as a leader building trust. You could hear it in DeAndre Hopkins’ voice, layered with urgency and resolve. This team isn’t simply trying to build momentum—they’re crafting a legacy.
There’s still a long way to go before the regular season begins. There will be more practices, more reps, more adversity. But if Day 1 of minicamp is any indication, the Baltimore Ravens are not only prepared for the road ahead—they’re already moving as one. The quarterback is locked in, the coach is sharp, and the wide receiver is ready to remind the world who he is. For the Ravens, the time is now. And based on what we saw and heard from Martin, Jackson, and Hopkins, they know it.
