The Baltimore Ravens are preparing for the upcoming NFL season by aiming to reduce the physical strain on quarterback Lamar Jackson, focusing on expanding the Derrick Henry role in their offense. Head coach Jesse Minter intends to build a system that limits Jackson’s running to preserve his health and prolong his career while relying more heavily on Henry to carry the rushing workload. This approach emerges after Jackson’s 2025 season was hampered by multiple injuries, including issues with his hamstring, back, ankle, and knee.
Understanding the need to balance Jackson’s natural athleticism with longevity, Minter envisions an offense that exploits downhill run concepts and play-action opportunities, allowing Jackson to shine without excessive physical risk. This shift reflects a strategic adaptation to protect their franchise quarterback while maximizing Derrick Henry’s strengths.
Jesse Minter’s Offensive Vision Prioritizes Jackson’s Health
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, Minter emphasized protecting Lamar Jackson as the core priority for Baltimore’s offense. After a difficult season marked by injuries that limited Jackson to just thirteen games in 2025, the coaching staff seeks to create an environment where Jackson can maintain MVP-level performance without enduring unnecessary hits during rushing attempts.
Minter explained that Jackson’s impact does not rely solely on his running. Instead, by focusing on an offense that uses under-center formations and a downhill run game, the team can open up various play-action and bootleg plays, allowing Jackson to take advantage of defensive overcommitments with his athleticism and skill set even when running less frequently.
I don’t know that he needs to run more,
Minter said on The Rich Eisen Show when asked about Jackson’s role in the run game.
I actually think there’s times where he can run less if you build an offense that takes advantage of the under center, the downhill run game. Now that opens up a lot of boots and play actions.
Great quarterbacks have that ability on the key play to execute the second play. So the first place is maybe not there. It’s not the perfect play call. Now he can take advantage of that with his athleticism, his skill set. That’s what he’s always been able to do. And we’ll continue to be able to do that.
Minter’s plan also recognizes Jackson’s elite ability to scramble and create yards in broken plays, ensuring his presence remains a significant factor in the ground game despite reduced planned runs.
Derrick Henry’s Increased Role Addresses Previous Utilization Concerns
Amid efforts to shield Jackson and adjust the offense, Baltimore is also addressing long-standing issues related to Derrick Henry’s underuse during key moments. Last season’s AFC North rivalry between the Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers was intense, with Henry showing strong early production before fading in the second halves of games.
For example, in the pivotal game against the Steelers, Henry rushed for 112 yards in the first half, contributing to a 10-3 halftime lead, but only managed fourteen yards after the break. Fans and analysts criticized this drop in his involvement as the Ravens’ season faltered.
We can take some pressure off of him [Jackson] in the run game by handing the ball to Derrick Henry as many times as possible,
Minter remarked, expressing optimism about giving the veteran back more responsibility.
This adjustment is expected to relieve pressure from Jackson’s rushing duties and make better use of Henry’s capability to deliver consistent yardage on the ground. This change is timely after moments in the past season, such as a 32-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving and late-game situations against the New England Patriots, where Henry’s carries were noticeably limited despite his effectiveness.
In a Week 16 game versus the Patriots, Henry’s two-yard touchdown run helped expand the Ravens’ lead, but decisions by coach John Harbaugh to remove him from the field in crucial late possessions drew criticism from fans and commentators alike, including analyst Jason Whitlock.
Henry, however, has remained professional throughout, showing no resentment despite the controversy surrounding his usage. The Ravens’ refined approach now aims to avoid these past mistakes and leverage Henry’s strengths more consistently.
Contextualizing the Shift: Balancing Quarterback Longevity and Running Back Power
The Ravens’ deliberate move to manage Jackson’s workload comes in the wake of comparisons to other top quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, where staying healthy throughout the season often correlates with team success and personal accolades. Jackson’s injury struggles in 2025 were perhaps the harshest test of his resilience, with multiple injuries sidelining him and contributing to performance inconsistency.
By adjusting their offensive scheme, Baltimore hopes to build around Jackson’s unique talents while preserving his availability, particularly for high-pressure situations where his ability to improvise under duress is unmatched. Simultaneously, giving Derrick Henry an expanded role allows the Ravens to maintain a powerful running game, a hallmark of their offensive identity, which can control game tempo and wear down defenses.
Implications for the Ravens’ Upcoming Season
The Ravens’ plan to manage their quarterback’s physical demands while boosting Derrick Henry’s contributions could change the dynamics of their offense significantly. This strategy not only protects their cornerstone player but also potentially increases offensive efficiency by aligning roles with players’ strengths and health considerations.
If successful, Baltimore will have a more balanced and less injury-prone lineup, capable of sustaining momentum through the season while competing fiercely in a challenging AFC North division. Coaches and analysts will closely monitor how this expanded Derrick Henry role complements Lamar Jackson’s evolving play style and overall team effectiveness.
The 2026 season will reveal whether these adjustments can elevate the Ravens’ competitiveness and extend the longevity of their star quarterback amidst mounting expectations.
