Ravens OC Todd Monken says he could have coached Lamar Jackson better
Jackson dealt with a slew of injuries in 2025 — including hamstring, knee, ankle, toe and back issues — missing multiple games.
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The Baltimore Ravens’ offense sputtered in 2025, and offensive coordinator Todd Monken isn’t shying away from his role in it, saying Thursday that he could have handled Lamar Jackson better during a season that ended without a playoff berth.
“I didn’t coach Lamar well enough,” Monken told the “Ryan Ripken Show.”
Monken is not expected to return as the Ravens’ play-caller next year after the team fired head coach John Harbaugh. Baltimore is now hunting for a new leader.
“I didn’t have as good of a relationship as I could have. I didn’t do the things we needed to do this year to win enough games to give ourselves a chance. I believe that,” he said. “Lamar and I, to me, had a good relationship … Could it have been better? Of course. I never, Lamar and I, never had an issue.”
The passing game failed to find a groove down the stretch; big plays were rare, yet the Ravens still ranked 11th in the NFL in scoring. Jackson struggled in November with a three-turnover game, and Baltimore lost four of his final six starts. A 1-5 start almost doomed them completely, though a late-season clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers offered a chance at the AFC North. A missed field goal in the final seconds ended that hope.
Jackson dealt with a slew of injuries in 2025 — including hamstring, knee, ankle, toe and back issues — missing multiple games.
“I really wish Lamar would have been healthy and seen what we kept building on,” Monken said.
Monken dismissed the notion that Harbaugh had lost the locker room, insisting the coach excelled at motivating players and keeping the team focused and moving in the right direction.
“I never saw Lamar and coach Harbaugh not have a great relationship,” Monken said. “I never saw coach Harbaugh and any of our players not have a great relationship.”
Under Monken’s watch, Jackson captured his second MVP in 2023 and delivered a career-high statistical season in 2024 with 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
Reflecting on his time in Baltimore, Monken said he has no regrets.
“I’m gonna fight like hell for the next job I get,” he said, “and I’m going to root like hell for the Ravens.”