ESPN hints at major reason Todd Monken moved on from Ravens

ESPN hints at major reason Todd Monken moved on from Ravens originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Baltimore Ravens have undergone significant change this offseason, mostly off the field.

John Harbaugh, after nearly two decades, is out as head coach, replaced by Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

The other is Todd Monken is out as offensive coordinator.

Monken is now the Cleveland Browns head coach, and there were reports of some friction between Lamar Jackson and the coaching staff last season as the Ravens struggled all year before missing the playoffs.

Now, ESPN's Jamison Hensley dropped an interesting nugget of information on Monken's time in Baltimore with Lamar.

"Despite all the drama surrounding their relationship, Monken was key in transitioning Jackson to one of the league's most efficient passers," Hensley wrote. "In his first two seasons under Monken, Jackson produced the second-best QBR (70.3) and third-most touchdown passes (65).

"But last season, there was friction between Jackson and the coaching staff after he chose not to participate in the first practice over a stretch of six weeks. One team source summed it up this way: 'There is a shelf life in coaching Lamar.'"

Hensley added that the two "had chemistry issues last season."

"Monken's hard-driving coaching style didn't mesh with Jackson, one source said."

MORE:Ravens urged to poach $25 million sack monster from bitter rivals

Monken now a rival

Losing the offensive coordinator who helped you have one of the best offenses in football when everyone is healthy is one thing.

But to lose to him to a division rival is another.

With Monken now in Cleveland, the Ravens will have to see him twice a year. There's no doubt Todd will have some interesting ways to try to stop the Ravens and Lamar in 2026.

It has been an offseason of change for Baltimore, and it feels like it is only getting started with free agency and the draft.

But one thing we learned from Hensley's piece is that coaching Lamar Jackson, apparently, isn't the easiest thing in the world to do.

More NFL news: 

• Jimmy Johnson has explosive NSFW rant over former Patriots HC Bill Belichick's Hall of Fame snub
• Drake Maye injury update: Concerns for Patriots QB
• Chiefs coach unknowingly drops monster update on Travis Kelce's future
• Should Chiefs swing big at free agent RB? | Sporting News
• Buccaneers' Mike Evans has 1 suitor in NFL free agency
• Why Bills' Joe Brady has hardest job in football in 2026