Baltimore Beatdown
The Ravens agreed to terms with offensive coordinator Todd Monken on a contract extension.
The Ravens agreed to terms with offensive coordinator Todd Monken on a contract extension, per an official team announcement.
The two sides were reportedly negotiating last week after Monken missed out on head-coaching opportunities this offseason. He interviewed with the Bears, the Raiders, and the Jaguars, though he was not considered a finalist for any of the three jobs.
Monken’s first deal with the Ravens was rumored to be worth $3 million per year (via Front Office Sports), one of the highest salaries of any NFL offensive coordinator. After two straight seasons with a top-five offense, Monken’s new contract likely makes him one of the highest-paid coordinators in NFL history on either side of the ball.
There’s no question that he’s worth it. The Ravens had a good offense under Lamar Jackson, but it always felt like they had even more untapped potential. Monken unearthed much of that over the last two seasons, getting the most out of young players like Zay Flowers, Isaiah Likely, and Rashod Bateman. He seamlessly integrated Derrick Henry into the offense this year and even found ways to develop peripheral contributors like Charlie Kolar and Tylan Wallace.
Most of all, Monken helped take the already-elite Jackson to a new level, unleashing his passing abilities while keeping his legs as an ever-present threat within the offense. Jackson is all-but-certain to win his second-straight MVP this week, a first for a player in his first two seasons under a new offensive coordinator.
Ravens fans will be glad that Monken is under contract in Baltimore for the long-term, but other NFL teams will likely come calling again next offseason if the 58-year-old coach is able to continue his success over the last two years. Three straight years with a top-five offense would make him one of the hottest coaching candidates in next year’s hiring cycle.
For now, though, Monken’s focus will be squarely on the Ravens as they face several tough decisions this offseason.
