Todd Monken's Adjustments Crucial to Turning the Baltimore Ravens Around

When the Baltimore Ravens stumbled to a 2-2 start in 2024, questions swirled around offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s playcalling—criticisms centered on overreliance on passing, inconsistent third-down execution, and underutilization of the team’s elite rushing talent. But Monken’s ability to recognize flaws, adapt his strategy, and implement targeted adjustments has since become the driving force behind the Ravens’ turnaround: a seven-game winning streak that lifted them to a tie for the AFC’s top seed. These adjustments weren’t just cosmetic; they were fundamental shifts in how the offense operates, leveraging the team’s strengths (Lamar Jackson’s dual threat, a dominant offensive line) and fixing its weaknesses. Todd Monken's Adjustments Crucial to Turning the Baltimore Ravens Around explores the key changes Monken made, their impact on the field, and why they’ve been essential to the Ravens’ resurgence.

Monken’s first critical adjustment came in restoring balance to the run-pass split, a shift that reignited the Ravens’ identity as a physical, ground-and-pound offense. Through the first four games, the Ravens passed on 58% of plays—well above their 2023 rate of 52%—and their rushing average plummeted to 3.9 yards per carry (down from 4.8 the previous year). After a Week 4 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Monken analyzed film and realized he was overcomplicating the offense, neglecting the team’s strength in the run game. He adjusted the game plan to prioritize Gus Edwards and Keaton Mitchell, increasing their combined carries from 18 to 25 per game and designing more zone-read plays to leverage Jackson’s rushing ability. The results were immediate: in Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens rushed for 168 yards (5.2 per carry) and won 24-17. “We got back to who we are,” Monken said after the game. “This offense is built around the run, and when we commit to it, everything else falls into place.” Todd Monken's Adjustments Crucial to Turning the Baltimore Ravens Around notes that this balance has since become a staple: the Ravens now run on 54% of plays, and their rushing average has climbed to 4.7 yards per carry—ranking third in the NFL.

Another pivotal adjustment from Monken was overhauling third-down strategy, turning a liability into a strength that now fuels long, momentum-building drives. Early in the season, the Ravens converted just 38% of third downs (ranking 22nd in the NFL), with Monken often calling complex passing plays that left Jackson vulnerable to blitzes. After studying film of successful third-down teams (like the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys), Monken simplified the approach: he increased run calls on third-and-short (from 35% to 70%), designed quick, high-percentage passes (slants, outs) for third-and-medium, and used Jackson’s mobility to create scramble opportunities on third-and-long. The shift paid off: over the past seven games, the Ravens have converted 52% of third downs (ranking 4th in the NFL). In Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, they converted 6 of 8 third downs—including a critical third-and-7 where Monken called a zone-read, allowing Jackson to rush for 12 yards and extend a drive that ended in a touchdown. “Third down is about execution, not complexity,” Monken explained. “We simplified the calls so Lamar and the guys could play fast, and it’s made all the difference.” Todd Monken's Adjustments Crucial to Turning the Baltimore Ravens Around emphasizes that this improvement has been a game-changer, as sustained drives keep the Ravens’ defense fresh and limit opponents’ offensive opportunities.

For the Baltimore Ravens, Monken’s adjustment to better utilize Keaton Mitchell’s speed and elusiveness has added a dynamic layer to the offense that opponents can’t defend. Early in the season, Mitchell—who finished his rookie year with 7.6 yards per carry—was limited to 4-5 touches per game, often used in predictable situations (like early-down runs to the right). Monken noticed Mitchell’s ability to beat defenders around the edge and in the open field during film study, so he expanded the rookie’s role: adding jet sweeps, screen passes, and end-around plays to get Mitchell the ball in space. In Week 9 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Mitchell touched the ball 12 times (7 carries, 5 receptions) for 132 yards and a touchdown—including a 45-yard screen pass where Monken exploited the Chargers’ aggressive pass rush. “Keaton is a playmaker, and it’s my job to get him the ball in positions to succeed,” Monken said. For the Baltimore Ravens, this adjustment has forced defenses to spread out, creating more room for Edwards to run between the tackles and opening up passing lanes for Jackson. Todd Monken's Adjustments Crucial to Turning the Baltimore Ravens Around explores how Mitchell’s elevated role has made the offense more unpredictable, with opponents now forced to prepare for three distinct threats (Jackson, Edwards, Mitchell) instead of just one.

The Baltimore Ravens’ offense has also benefited from Monken’s in-game adjustments—his ability to read what’s working (and what’s not) and pivot during a game, rather than sticking to a pre-drawn plan. In Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chiefs’ defense shut down the Ravens’ run game in the first quarter, holding them to just 18 rushing yards. Instead of forcing runs, Monken shifted to a quick-pass attack: Jackson completed 8 of 10 short passes (slants, drags) in the second quarter, moving the chains and keeping the Chiefs’ defense off balance. By halftime, the Ravens had taken a 17-14 lead, and Monken gradually reintroduced the run game in the second half—finishing with 125 rushing yards. “In-game adjustments are about listening to the field,” Monken said post-game. “The Chiefs were stopping our initial run calls, so we adjusted to keep them guessing.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this flexibility has been critical in close games: they’ve won five games by 7 points or fewer since Monken began prioritizing in-game tweaks, with each victory fueled by his ability to adapt to opponents’ defenses. Todd Monken's Adjustments Crucial to Turning the Baltimore Ravens Around notes that this adaptability sets Monken apart from other coordinators—he doesn’t let ego dictate playcalling, instead focusing on what will win the game that day.

Finally, Monken’s adjustment to leverage Lamar Jackson’s unique skill set—balancing his passing and rushing abilities instead of forcing him into a traditional quarterback role—has unlocked the offense’s full potential. Early in the season, Monken often called drop-back passing plays that limited Jackson’s mobility, leading to sacks and rushed decisions. After reviewing film of Jackson’s most successful seasons (2019, 2023), Monken designed more plays that let Jackson use his legs: zone reads, designed runs, and rollouts that create passing lanes. The change has transformed Jackson’s performance: he’s rushed for 580 yards and 7 touchdowns over the past seven games, while his passing efficiency rating has climbed to 108.3 (up from 95.1 in the first four weeks). “Lamar is not a traditional quarterback—and that’s his strength,” Monken said. “Our job is to build an offense around that, not force him to fit a mold.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this adjustment has made the offense nearly impossible to defend: opponents can’t focus on stopping the run without leaving Jackson open to pass, and they can’t drop back in coverage without risking his rushing ability. Todd Monken's Adjustments Crucial to Turning the Baltimore Ravens Around concludes that without Monken’s willingness to adapt, the Ravens likely wouldn’t be in contention for the AFC title. His adjustments have turned a struggling offense into a juggernaut—and in doing so, have positioned the Ravens as legitimate Super Bowl favorites.