Todd Monken's Strategy Under Fire from the Baltimore Ravens Community

As the Baltimore Ravens navigate a critical stretch of the NFL season, offensive coordinator Todd Monken has become the focal point of frustration among a segment of the team’s fanbase, with critics questioning his playcalling, in-game adjustments, and ability to maximize the talent of franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. What began as isolated complaints on social media has grown into a broader debate, with local sports radio hosts, fan forums, and even former players weighing in on perceived flaws in Monken’s strategy—from overly conservative red-zone calls to a lack of creativity in adapting to opposing defenses. Todd Monken's Strategy Under Fire from the Baltimore Ravens Community examines the specific criticisms, the context behind Monken’s decisions, and how the Ravens’ coaching staff is responding to the community’s concerns.

Todd Monken's Strategy Under Fire from the Baltimore Ravens Community starts with the most vocal complaint: Monken’s perceived overreliance on the run game, even when opposing defenses are stacking the box to stop Derrick Henry. Fan frustration boiled over after the Ravens’ Week 14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Monken called 32 running plays (62% of total offensive snaps) despite the Steelers devoting seven or more defenders to the line of scrimmage on 18 of those plays. Film from the game shows Henry being tackled for no gain or loss on eight of those runs, with fans pointing out that Jackson was consistently underutilized in the passing game (he threw just 19 times, completing 12 for 165 yards). “We have one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league, and we’re treating him like a game manager,” said Mike, a Ravens season-ticket holder who posts on the team’s official fan forum. “Monken needs to open up the playbook instead of forcing Henry into a brick wall every drive.” The criticism intensified when stats emerged: the Ravens rank 22nd in passing yards per game (210.5) despite having Jackson and a healthy tight end corps led by Mark Andrews.

Todd Monken's Strategy Under Fire from the Baltimore Ravens Community shifts to another key point of contention: the Ravens’ red-zone inefficiency under Monken. Entering Week 15, the Ravens rank 18th in the NFL in red-zone touchdown percentage (52.3%), a drop from 11th in 2023 when Greg Roman was offensive coordinator. Fans and analysts point to Monken’s tendency to call predictable plays in the red zone—often a run up the middle with Henry or a short pass to Andrews—instead of using Jackson’s mobility to create scoring opportunities. A prime example came in Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals, where the Ravens had first-and-goal from the Bengals’ 5-yard line and called three consecutive running plays: Henry was stopped for 2 yards, then 1 yard, then lost 1 yard, forcing a field goal. “Red zone is where you need to be creative, and Monken’s plays are so predictable defenses can practically call them out loud,” said Sarah, a host on Baltimore’s 105.7 The Fan radio show. Replays of red-zone drives show defenses often lining up in “goal-line” formations well before the snap, knowing Monken is likely to call a run or a short pass—limiting the Ravens’ ability to score touchdowns.

Todd Monken's Strategy Under Fire from the Baltimore Ravens Community delves into the debate over Monken’s adaptation to Jackson’s injuries, which have limited his mobility in recent weeks. While Monken has adjusted the playbook to include more quick passes and play-action designs (as noted in previous film studies), many fans argue the adjustments don’t go far enough. For example, in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Jackson was dealing with a shoulder strain that limited his deep passing ability, yet Monken still called six deep passes—only one of which was completed, and two of which were nearly intercepted. “Monken isn’t playing to Lamar’s strengths right now,” said James, a former Ravens wide receiver who now works as a local analyst. “If Lamar can’t throw deep, you focus on screens, slants, and designed rolls to let him use his legs safely—not force passes he can’t make.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this criticism has put Monken in a difficult spot: balancing the need to protect Jackson with the community’s expectation to keep the offense dynamic. Monken addressed the issue in a recent press conference, saying, “We’re trying to find a middle ground—keep Lamar healthy, but also keep the offense aggressive. It’s not an easy balance, but we’re working on it every week.”

Todd Monken's Strategy Under Fire from the Baltimore Ravens Community explores the pushback from Monken’s defenders, including head coach John Harbaugh and several Ravens players. Harbaugh has repeatedly defended Monken in press conferences, noting that the Ravens rank 10th in total offense (365.8 yards per game) and 13th in points per game (24.7)—solid numbers that fans often overlook. “Todd’s doing a good job adapting to our personnel and the injuries we’ve faced,” Harbaugh said. “Winning football is about executing, and when we execute Todd’s plays, we’re successful.” Players have also spoken up: Henry praised Monken’s run-game design, saying, “The plays are there—sometimes we just don’t block well enough or I don’t make the right cut.” Jackson, too, has defended Monken, noting that the coordinator “gives me the freedom to audible when I see something defenses are doing.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this divide between fans and the team highlights the challenge of managing expectations: fans want a high-flying offense, while the coaching staff prioritizes consistency and limiting turnovers (the Ravens rank 15th in turnovers, a improvement from 22nd in 2023).

Todd Monken's Strategy Under Fire from the Baltimore Ravens Community wraps up with the implications of the criticism for the rest of the season and Monken’s future with the team. With the Ravens in contention for an AFC North title and a playoff spot, the focus will shift to results: if the Ravens win their remaining games and make a deep playoff run, the criticism is likely to fade; if they struggle, the calls for Monken to adjust his strategy (or even be replaced) could grow louder. Long-term, Monken’s job security may depend on his ability to silence critics with on-field success—especially in high-stakes games where his playcalling will be under the microscope. For the Baltimore Ravens community, the debate over Monken’s strategy is a reflection of their passion for the team: fans care deeply about winning, and they want to see the team’s talent used to its full potential. “At the end of the day, we all want the same thing—for the Ravens to win a Super Bowl,” said Mike, the season-ticket holder. “If Monken’s strategy gets us there, I’ll be the first to apologize. But until then, I’m going to keep asking for more.” For Monken and the Ravens, the answer will come not in press conferences or fan forums, but on the field—where wins and losses will ultimately define the success of his strategy.