The Baltimore Ravens made a bold hire by naming 29-year-old Declan Doyle its offensive coordinator last week. The move hands a first-time NFL play caller the keys to a roster built around former MVP Lamar Jackson and a win-now core. Not everyone views the decision as a safe bet.
Former QB Questions Experience Behind Baltimore’s Gamble
Former NFL quarterback Cody Kessler labeled the hire a “huge risk” while appearing on “The Arena: Gridiron.” Kessler pointed to Doyle’s age and limited résumé, given the expectations in Baltimore.
“I was going to give him a C+, but the main reason is because of the age,” Kessler said. “He’s only 29 years old, which is the same age as Lamar Jackson. He’s also younger than DeAndre Hopkins, Derrick Henry, Patrick Ricard, Ronnie Stanley, Mark Andrews.
“Now, I know age doesn’t determine how well you can call an offense, and we’ve seen some young play callers have success, most notably Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan. But take out the age, it’s more the lack of experience that concerns me. You’re a first-time play caller with a team that has a win-now roster and is in their Super Bowl window. So it is a huge risk.”
Cody: I give it a B-
Skip: For you, that’s like an F@CodyKessler6 is worried about Declan Doyle’s inexperience as he enters the OC role with the Ravens. pic.twitter.com/NejX3Ux76G— The Arena: Gridiron (@ArenaGridiron) February 2, 2026
Doyle arrives in Baltimore after one season as the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator, though head coach Ben Johnson called plays. Before joining the Bears, Doyle worked under Sean Payton with the Saints and Broncos. In those roles, he served as a tight ends coach and passing game assistant. The Ravens job represents his first opportunity to run an offense independently.
Kessler noted the advantages Doyle inherits in Baltimore.
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“The last three years he’s been under Ben Johnson and Sean Payton, so he’s learned from those guys,” Kessler said. “Also, you’re giving him an offense that has a lot of weapons, so it’s going to make his life and his job a lot easier.”
The Ravens offense finished among the league’s best under newly named Browns head coach Todd Monken. Jackson posted a C+ grade in PFSN’s AB Impact Metric in 2025. Baltimore ranked near the top of the league in total yards and efficiency and leaned heavily on the run game behind All-Pro running back Derrick Henry and a veteran offensive line.
Doyle is known for a system built around pre-snap motion and varied cadences. He expanded on those concepts in Chicago during quarterback Caleb Williams’ second season. The Ravens believe those principles can simplify Jackson’s post-snap reads and create more defined passing windows for targets such as Andrews and Zay Flowers.
New head coach Jesse Minter has not publicly confirmed whether Doyle will handle play-calling duties come Week 1. But since Minter enters Baltimore as a defensive specialist, it appears Doyle will lead the Ravens offense.
If the “risk” Kessler mentioned pays off, Doyle’s stay in Baltimore could be short, since offensive coordinators who lead top offenses are often among the first names owners pursue for head-coaching jobs.
