The end of the regular NFL season on Sunday night marked a major turning point for teams looking to fill their head coach and general manager positions. Starting Monday morning, teams were free to request permission to interview candidates employed by other teams, and of course, it didn’t take long for the first names to surface. Among the top candidates, one notable name came from the Baltimore Ravens, which has caught the attention of several teams with openings.
The Chicago Bears, currently seeking a new head coach, made their move early, requesting permission to interview Todd Monken, the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, according to NFL Network. The Bears are also reportedly eyeing Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract is nearing its expiration. This shows the intense competition for coaching talent in the NFL, with teams scrambling to find their next leader.
Monken, who is 58 years old, is currently in his second year with the Ravens. Under his guidance, Baltimore’s offense has become one of the most dynamic and high-powered in the league. In fact, the Ravens made history this season, becoming the first team ever to pass for at least 4,000 yards and rush for over 3,000 yards in the same season. That kind of offensive balance helped the Ravens lead the NFL in total yards, making them one of the most dangerous teams in the league. This offensive explosion came after a strong showing in the AFC championship game last year, and the Ravens have carried that momentum into this season. They finished the regular season with a solid 12-5 record, securing the No. 3 seed in the AFC. Now, they’re preparing to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round this Saturday night.
While the regular season’s end brings excitement and anticipation, it also triggers a busy time for teams looking for a new head coach. Under NFL rules, in-person interviews for head coach candidates who are currently under contract can’t take place until January 20th, but virtual interviews can begin sooner. For teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions, whose coaches are already out of the playoff picture, they can take part in these virtual interviews right away, just a few days after their respective regular seasons end. But for teams still in contention, such as the Ravens, no interviews can take place until three days after their wild-card games are concluded.
This timing creates a bit of a waiting game for coaches who are highly sought after. For example, if Monken is to be hired by the Bears or another team, it would mark the first time in his long career that he takes on a head coaching role in the NFL. While Monken has extensive experience as an assistant coach, he has never held a head coaching position at the professional level. His only stint as a head coach was with Southern Mississippi, where he led the team from 2013 to 2015. Despite this limited experience, Monken is seen as a top candidate, and his offensive success with the Ravens makes him a highly desirable prospect.
As Ravens fans know, Monken’s impact on the team’s offense has been undeniable. Quarterback Lamar Jackson, in particular, has flourished under Monken’s system. Jackson put together a career-high season in 2023, throwing for 4,172 yards, a career-best, and setting a new franchise record with 41 touchdown passes. Jackson also kept his interceptions low, with only four on the season. These numbers helped him secure the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award for the second time in his career, following a 2022 season where he also posted career highs in passing yards and completion percentage.
Given Jackson’s continued improvement and the overall success of the Ravens’ offense, it’s no surprise that Monken is generating so much attention. His ability to maximize the potential of one of the league’s most electric quarterbacks, coupled with his success in creating a balanced, high-octane offense, makes him a prime candidate for teams looking to revitalize their offensive approach. His work with the Ravens has shown that he can handle the pressure of leading a high-powered offense while adjusting to the unique needs of his players.
Despite all the attention Monken is receiving, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh wasn’t giving much away when asked about the interest in his assistants. During his weekly news conference Monday morning, Harbaugh was asked if any requests had been made to speak with his assistant coaches. His response was as dismissive as it was cryptic.
“If I had, I wouldn’t probably announce it,” Harbaugh said, before joking about the NFL’s process for releasing such news. “Maybe, I don’t know, do they put that out? Like, [does] the NFL put that out or whatever?”
Harbaugh’s lighthearted approach is typical of his personality, but the truth is, with a successful team like the Ravens, many of their coaches are bound to be in high demand. Harbaugh knows that his assistants’ success will draw attention, and he’s been through this process before. The Ravens’ coaching staff is one of the most respected in the league, and it’s no surprise that their success is translating into coaching opportunities elsewhere.
As the coaching carousel continues to spin, Monken’s name will likely remain near the top of the list for teams searching for a fresh perspective and offensive innovation. For the Bears, the prospect of bringing in a coach with Monken’s pedigree is an enticing one. After struggling to find consistent success in recent years, the Bears are looking for a coach who can help turn things around, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
It’s also worth noting that the Bears have already made other coaching moves in recent years, including firing their previous head coach, Matt Eberflus, in the middle of the season. The team has struggled with consistency and is hoping that a change in leadership can help them get back on track. If Monken were to land in Chicago, he would be tasked with developing the team’s young quarterback and building an offense that can compete in the NFC North.
Of course, Monken isn’t the only candidate out there. The NFL’s coaching search is always competitive, and other teams will surely be making moves as well. Still, for those keeping an eye on the Ravens, it’s clear that Monken has earned the right to be considered for a top job. His work in Baltimore has earned him a reputation as one of the most innovative offensive minds in the league, and that kind of expertise is exactly what teams like the Bears are looking for.
The coming weeks will be full of interviews, rumors, and potential hirings, and we’ll soon find out whether Monken will remain with the Ravens or move on to a new chapter in his career as a head coach. Either way, it’s clear that his stock is at an all-time high, and his name will continue to be in the conversation as the NFL coaching carousel spins on.
Login