The Baltimore Ravens have finally done it… they have fired Greg Roman, and somehow it took four years, firing one of the best defensive coordinators in all of football (Martindale), and an upset franchise QB to realize it. We’ve already covered the Roman firing, but we are here to breakdown the best news of the whole situation. The Ravens have hired a competent and creative offensive coordinator. The Ravens announced yesterday that they have hired Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Who is Todd Monken?
Todd Monken was Georgia’s offensive coordinator and QBs coach from 2020-2022. Pre-Georgia, Monken spent three years as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator (2016-2018) and a quick year stint with Cleveland Browns in 2019 before joining the Bulldogs. He was the mastermind behind Georgia’s explosive offense over the last few years. Georgia QB Stetson Bennett has also stated that Monken was the coach who really helped him understand the game of football and how to play the QB position.
Just look at Bennett’s stats since Monken joined the Dawgs. Now granted these stats need an explanation. Bennett was not the starter in 2020. In 2021, Bennett started in place of injured JT Daniels against UAB in week two but did not earn the full-time starting QB job until week five against Arkansas. That being said, the success Bennett had under Monken is amazing. Would Bennett’s 2021 stats be closer to his 2022 if he started all year? Yes, probably, but the way Bennett played the QB position in 2022 looked much more developed than in 2021. Under Monken, Bennett set the Georgia passing yards record for a single season as well as became the first 4,000-yard passer in Georgia history.
What does this mean for the Ravens’ current offensive personnel?
One thing to know about Todd Monken is that he has a WR1, but he doesn’t really have a WR1. For example, George Pickens and AD Mitchell were Georgia’s WR1s during Monken’s tenure with the Dawgs. Now granted, both dealt with injuries while at Georgia, but Monken rotated through wide receiver personnel like produce in a supermarket. The Bulldogs had 21 players catch at least one pass this season. Of those 21: 3 had over 40 receptions, 7 had 20+ receptions, 9 had over 10 receptions, 3 had over 500 yards, 7 over 200 yards, and 11 over 100 yards. Monken likes to utilize what he has and create game plans that play to the strengths of their players. Ravens fans, I know you want your team to trade for a big-time WR like DK Metcalf, DeAndre Hopkins, etc, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. I think Monken is going to love Bateman. Understand, Monken is going to address the receiver room. You will eventually have the best receiver room you’ve had in years, but it is going to be made up of players he thinks he can rotate through and contribute to the offense.
Todd Monken LOVES utilizing his TE’s. Monken this year had Brock Bowers, Darnell Washington, Oscar Delp, and Arik Gilbert just to name a few. The Ravens already have one of the best TEs in the league in Mark Andrews, and both 2022 NFL Draft picks Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar. Could Monken add another TE of his liking? Surely it’s possible, but I also think being a college coach he knows about guys like Likely and Kolar and will probably at least give them a chance while he tries to build up the other positional rooms.
I know you Ravens fans are tired of hearing about the running backs because of Greg Roman, but Monken is probably going to look to put his own touch on the running backs room. I think Dobbins and Edwards are going to stay, I think they are two completely different styles of players who will keep their roles in the offense. I do think Monken could look to add at least one RB this off-season. My first thought was to bring back Justice Hill, I really feel like Hill could find himself a solid role in Monken’s offense. If you don’t retain the guy you already have, I feel like he could target Georgia RB Kenny McIntosh in the mid rounds or if they want to go the FA route, I think Nyheim Hines could be a solid addition to the Ravens offense.
Finally, the offensive line. Monken is going to love Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum (But also who wouldn’t?). As for the rest of the line, I think it could probably be upgraded, but more importantly for me, I think they need to address the depth of the line.
Greg Roman didn’t exactly leave Monken a great situation on the offensive side of the ball.
What does this mean for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens?
We were huge advocates for Lamar Jackson leaving the Ravens while under Greg Roman. However, I truly believe that Jackson should and will end up staying in Baltimore. We all knew Greg Roman was going to be a dud offensive coordinator, but I can’t say the same about Monken. Just go watch the Georgia offense, yes some of it looks basic at times, but Monken also can come up with some pretty creative plays. Monken has this heavy package QB-counter play (that’s the best I can explain it) that he put in for Stetson Bennett. Bennett is a good runner, but he’s nowhere near the caliber of runner that Lamar Jackson is. If he put that play in for Jackson that would be crazy. Monken could also add a ton of QB design run plays that would utilize the most dangerous part of Jackson’s game. Not to mention once again, his ability to develop QBs. If Lamar stays, I feel like we could see Lamar going back to MVP form. I just have this feeling that once Monken meets with Jackson and talks to him about the plan to improve the roster around him and all that Jackson won’t want to leave. At the very least, play on the franchise tag. Give Monken one year to show you what he’s about and I have a feeling Jackson will want to stay.