The Ravens’ decision to move on from John Harbaugh sent shockwaves through the league, but it also reopened a familiar cycle in Baltimore. When a long-tenured head coach is dismissed, speculation follows about what went wrong. In this case, some of that attention shifted toward the offense and, more specifically, the relationship between Lamar Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Monken Acknowledges Shortcomings While Rejecting Rift Narrative
Ravens OC Todd Monken spoke at length on the “Ryan Ripken Show” about his time in Baltimore. He does not believe tension with Jackson or the locker room drove the organization’s decision.
“I don’t know where that comes from,” Monken said when asked about reported issues between himself and Jackson.
#Ravens OC Todd Monken says he had no issues with Lamar Jackson, and from what he saw, no players had issues with John Harbaugh.
“I don’t know where that comes from.”
(via @ryanripkenshow)
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 9, 2026
Monken pushed back on the idea that there was friction behind the scenes, adding that he did not see players turning on Harbaugh during the final stretch of the season. At the same time, he stopped short of presenting his tenure as flawless.
Monken described his stint in Baltimore as a great three-year run. Still, he acknowledged that the working relationship with Jackson could have been stronger.
“I didn’t coach Lamar well enough,” Monken said. “I didn’t have as good of a relationship as I could’ve.”
Under Monken in 2024, Baltimore fielded one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses, with Jackson playing at an MVP level. The regression in 2025, paired with injuries and inconsistency late in the year, led to increased scrutiny of play-calling and communication. The Ravens ranked 20th in PFSN’s OFFi. Monken’s remarks suggest those issues were more about execution and alignment than personal conflict.
Baltimore’s season ended in the final week of the regular season with a loss to the Steelers that eliminated the Ravens from playoff contention. A late missed field goal sealed the defeat and capped a year that opened with Super Bowl expectations but unraveled down the stretch. The abrupt finish intensified scrutiny across the organization and ultimately preceded the decision to move on from John Harbaugh after 18 seasons.
As Baltimore enters a new chapter, Monken’s reflections provide a clearer view of what he believes went wrong and, just as importantly, what did not.
