There will be a Baltimore reunion in East Rutherford.
With John Harbaugh set to become the Giants’ next head coach, his former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is one of several Baltimore assistants expected to follow him, according to NFL Network.
The 59-year-old is the favorite to serve in that same capacity with the Giants after doing so with the Ravens for the last three years.
While Monken signed a contract extension with Baltimore last February, teams usually allow assistants to pursue other openings once they make a change at head coach.
There’s always the possibility that whomever the Ravens hire as their next head coach would prefer his own option versus inheriting Monken.
Hiring the right offensive coordinator will be crucial for Harbaugh since quarterback Jaxson Dart’s development will be key to the team’s attempt to return to contention.
Dart had a strong rookie season, tallying 24 total touchdowns (15 passing) and throwing for 2,272 yards in 14 games (12 starts).
While Dart is not Baltimore’s two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, Monken created a top offense in Baltimore centered around a quarterback who uses his legs as weapons.
The Ravens ranked sixth, first and 16th in yards per game over the last three seasons, respectively, while registering fourth, third and 11th in points per game in that time.
The 2024 Ravens became the first team in NFL history to tally at least 4,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards, setting the franchise record with 7,224 total yards and 6.85 yards per play, and also made history with 40-plus passing touchdowns and 20-plus rushing scores, per the team’s website.
This year’s dip tied into Jackson missing four games and not playing like his usual self due to the injuries.
Monken blamed himself, though, for the offense’s shortcomings.
“I didn’t coach Lamar well enough,” Monken said on the “Ryan Ripken Show” last week. “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.”
The Athletic reported that Harbaugh’s refusal to move on from Monken created a “pressure point” in Baltimore’s decision to ultimately part ways with him after 18 years.
Now, it seems both will have a chance to prove the Ravens wrong with the Giants.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
