After flirting with head-coaching jobs this offseason, Todd Monken will instead return to Baltimore for the foreseeable future.
The Ravens offensive coordinator officially signed an extension with the team, Baltimore announced on Monday. Monken's extension had previously been reported by other outlets.
Monken's return to Baltimore is a boon for Lamar Jackson and a Ravens offense that has paced the league since the OC replaced Greg Roman following the 2022 season. After finishing fourth in points and sixth in total yards in 2023, Baltimore added Derrick Henry and improved to third and first in those respective categories in 2024 under Monken's leadership.
This season, the Ravens became the first team in NFL history to throw for at least 4,000 yards and rush for at least 3,000. Baltimore was also the first team to score at least 40 passing touchdowns and at least 20 rushing touchdowns.
Jackson, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, led the league in passing yards per attempt (8.8), passer rating (119.6) and rushing yards per attempt (6.6). It's no surprise he is an MVP finalist and favorite again, a credit to his OC.
The 58-year-old Monken was rewarded with head-coach interviews with the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders. All three teams went with other options -- two offensive-minded, first-timers (Ben Johnson to Chicago, Liam Coen to Jacksonville) and one veteran head coach (Pete Carroll to Las Vegas). The New Orleans Saints remain without a head coach but appear to be leaning toward Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, leaving Monken without a possible landing spot.
Instead, he'll return to Baltimore where coach John Harbaugh and Co. will be happy to welcome him back.
"It would be very meaningful if and when we get him back, and we continue [moving] forward," Harbaugh said of Monken on Jan. 22 at the team's season-ending press conference. "I really am excited about 3.0, that iteration of this offense going forward.
"Todd Monken will be a great head coach; I'll just say that. He's a really good football coach. He's an old-school football coach with kind of a new-school and creative mind. [He's] always creating. Todd is one of those guys that can apply his experience, along with the fact that he's always thinking ahead. He's always trying to come up with the next idea, and then he's also very much a collaborator."
