Another one of the numerous offensive coordinator searches in the 2023 cycle as been filled. The Ravens announced on Tuesday that Todd Monken has been hired as the team’s new OC. 
The 57-year-old is making a return to the NFL after working at Georgia over the past three seasons. He held the joint title of quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator during that span, helping lead the Bulldogs to two straight national championships. His success there led to interest in a new opportunity at the pro level, though ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets that the Baltimore vacancy was his priority.
Monken – who previously guided the offenses of the Buccaneers from 2016-18, and of the Browns in 2019 – was among Tampa Bay’s candidates for their vacant position. He interviewed last month as a potential Byron Leftwich replacement, but this news means a reunion will not be possible. Monken was a finalist for the Ravens’ OC gig, having interviewed for a second time less than two weeks ago.
A coach at the NCAA level beginning at age 25, Monken brings plenty of experience to a Ravens team which parted ways with Greg Roman at the end of the 2022 campaign. The latter had been in place since 2019, adding to his reputation as one of the league’s top offensive minds with respect to the running game. Shortcomings in Baltimore’s passing attack were chief among the reasons for the separation taking place, and an area Monken will be tasked with improving in his new position. Roman has emerged on the OC radar of the Commanders.
Much of the Ravens’ success in 2023 will be tied to the play they receive at the quarterback position. Lamar Jackson is a pending free agent; while he will be franchise tagged in the absence of a long-term deal being signed, his future with the team remains up in the air. Presuming the former MVP remains in place next season, Monken will look to glean more consistency from Jackson and an increase in production from the team’s pass-catchers.
“We conducted 21 interviews with 14 candidates throughout a thorough process that had wide-ranging organizational involvement,” head coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “Todd’s leadership and coaching acumen were evident from the beginning. He has a proven track record for designing and teaching offensive systems that allow players to succeed at the highest level. We’re excited to get to work and begin building an offense that will help us compete for championships.”