The Ravens have their next point man for Lamar Jackson, as they have reportedly hired Quarterbacks Coach Israel Woolfork.
Woolfork is another fast-rising and highly regarded young coach, similar to Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle.
Woolfork, 35, spent the past three seasons as the Arizona Cardinals' quarterbacks coach. Before that, he was with the Cleveland Browns for two years on the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.
Now Woolfork will help Jackson, a two-time MVP coming off an injury-hampered season, try to get back to the top of his game and take it to an even higher level in the next phase of his career.
The Cardinals turned over their coaching staff this offseason and hired new offensive Head Coach Mike LaFleur. Woolfork was reportedly blocked from other quarterbacks coach opportunities previously but was permitted to explore this offseason.
He reportedly interviewed for offensive coordinator openings with the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Michigan native was a wide receiver at Grand Valley State and got his start coaching at Miami (Ohio). His first time coaching quarterbacks was in 2023, but he has quickly made a name for himself as one of the best in the business.
Woolfork's work with Cardinals dual-threat quarterback Kyler Murray helps make him a strong fit with Jackson. Injuries limited Murray to 13 games combined in two of those three years, but he had a strong 2024 campaign with 3,851 passing yards – the second-most of his career.
"He's really receptive," Murray said of Woolfork in 2024, via ESPN. "He'll shoot you straight but also can hear you out and understand what I'm seeing and what I'm feeling. We just bounce back ideas. I think that's something that you've got to have in this game.
"Every quarterback coach that's kind of the go-to guy as far as in your corner, talking to you throughout the day."
The Cardinals pivoted to veteran backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett late last season and they let it rip. No team attempted more passes last year than Arizona (649). Though the Cardinals finished tied for the NFL's worst record (3-14), under center they had the 13th-highest collective quarterback rating.
Jackson spent the past three seasons with Tee Martin as his quarterbacks coach, but Martin wasn't retained and will pursue other opportunities.
Martin, who was with Baltimore since 2021, had a close relationship with Jackson and helped him win his second MVP in 2024. Martin was part of a historic all-Black quarterbacks room including players and coaches.
