He’s in a state of limbo after John Harbaugh was fired as head coach, but Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken doesn’t see his fate being decided by any perceived “issue” with star quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Monken’s apparently trying relationship with Jackson is thought to be a root cause of the upheaval the Ravens have experienced since the end of the 2025 NFL season. The OC discussed how he got along with Jackson, when speaking during an appearance on the Ryan Ripken Show.
Former Ravens OC Todd Monken addressed the rumors surrounding his relationship with Lamar Jackson.
As Monken put it, “Lamar and I, to me, had a good relationship. Could it’ve been better? Of course. I never, Lamar and I, never had an issue.”
Most of those words go against some of what’s been reported since Harbaugh was dismissed. Part of what sealed the Super Bowl winner’s fate was said to be his steadfast refusal to move on from Monken.
The latter, referred to as “former” by Ripken, was candid about his time calling plays for Jackson and Harbaugh. Yet it seems as though Monken’s days are numbered without Harbaugh.
Monken all but confirmed as much when he also told Ripken,”I’m not bitter. I’m grateful. The fans are great. I think we had great players that really embraced what we tried to do. And Like I said, onto the next challenge, and I wish the Ravens, I mean hell, I’m sitting in my office for God’s sakes I’ve been working on football all day. So I love it here, love the people here and I wish them nothing but the best, and Lamar.”
Todd Monken has all love for Baltimore. Hope nothing but the best.
Those words read like Monken’s exit lines, so it means big changes are certainly in store for Jackson.
Todd Monken Reveals Lamar Jackson Regrets
Monken is still the Ravens’ OC, although likely in name only until the team hires a new head coach. Nonetheless, the 59-year-old spoke frankly about what went right and what wrong for him in Baltimore during three seasons when his offense twice ranked in the top five for points and led the NFL in yards in 2024.
He told Ripken, “If I knew the way it would turn out now 3 year later, an MVP year, should’ve been a 2nd MVP year and this year which was frustrating and we didn’t get a Super Bowl, I would do it again.”
Todd Monken reflects on his 3 years in
Quite why the Ravens didn’t meet championship expectations is a riddle few can solve, but tension behind the scenes may have been a contributory factor.
Ravens Beset by Rumors of Unrest
Monken said all the right things to Ripken, but there are still rumors all was far from right between key figures for the Ravens. Some of the apparent tension was reported by Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, who reported “the dynamic between Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Todd Monken and star quarterback Lamar Jackson had grown awkward, particularly this season when there seemed to be weekly confusion about whether Jackson would or wouldn’t practice. Harbaugh was often the buffer between Monken and Jackson, whose personalities didn’t always mesh.”
Quite what the sticking point was between QB1 and play-caller is unknown, but Monken’s game-plans in big games did attract criticism. Like when he mysteriously left two-time NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry on the sideline during a crucial matchup fraught with playoff implications against the New England Patriots in Week 16.
Curious use of personnel wasn’t the only blot on Monken’s copybook. He could also be guilty of calling plays skewed toward the pass, despite his unit’s strength running the ball. The most damaging example of Monken’s random pass-heavy pivoting occurred against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 AFC Championship Game.
Perhaps erratic play-calling unsettled Jackson, or maybe a clash of personalities occurred. Monken admitted things could have “been better.”
Whatever needed work prompted the Ravens to seek a fresh start for the central figures of their team. That start could be inspired by a new head coach with a background on offense and equipped to better meet Jackson’s needs.
Todd Monken Talks Lamar Jackson ‘Issue,’ Ravens Exit