The new season casts its shadow ahead: Ten NFL teams begin their offseason programs this week.

This arrival is a statement.

That’s why the Baltimore Ravens also released a video of Lamar Jackson showing up for the start of the offseason program.

Because this part of the early preparation phase is voluntary, and it’s not uncommon for superstars to forgo it completely.

Not so in Baltimore, where, in addition to Jackson, Trey Hendrickson and Derrick Henry, for example, were among the players who reported for duty on the first day.

Minter on Jackson: “Developing trust in each other”

The background to this is likely to be the new personnel: Head coach Jesse Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle have taken over for the Ravens. The franchise is making a fresh start after last season and missing the playoffs.

“I just think he’s looking forward to us networking, building a relationship, developing trust with each other and discussing things together,” Minter said at the most recent team owners’ meeting.

“You don’t get to this level as a player without an outstanding work ethic, without being a great teammate and without leadership qualities. I’m just looking forward to him developing, growing and becoming an even better version of Lamar Jackson,” Minter continued.

NFL: Nine teams to start on Tuesday

The first phase of the program will include meetings, strength and conditioning workouts and rehab sessions for players coming off injuries. The phase lasts two weeks.

The main aim is therefore to get to know each other better and create the initial interpersonal foundations for further cooperation.

Teams like the Ravens with new coaches start earlier than the teams with last season’s coaches, who start around April 20.

The Ravens began on Monday, with nine other teams starting on Tuesday: the Arizona Cardinals, the Atlanta Falcons, the Buffalo Bills, the Cleveland Browns, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Miami Dolphins, the New York Giants, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans.