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Ravens’ New Offensive Coordinator Begins Tenure with Focus on Jackson Partnership
Declan Doyle didn’t begin his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens by diagramming plays. Instead, the 29-year-old offensive coordinator started with something more fundamental: a conversation. Before accepting the position, Doyle spent more than an hour on a video call with quarterback Lamar Jackson, determined to ensure their partnership would be productive for both sides.
“I really wanted to see if we were compatible,” Doyle explained. “And if that was a fit.”
The relationship between the young coordinator and the two-time MVP quarterback, who is also just 29, will be crucial as Baltimore attempts to rebound after missing the playoffs last season. Doyle faces the challenge of revitalizing an offense that saw Jackson’s production dip in 2023, when he threw just 21 touchdown passes—his fewest in any season with at least 13 starts—and rushed for a career-low 349 yards.
However, controversy emerged when sports commentator Skip Bayless claimed on social media that Doyle had criticized Jackson’s decision-making abilities and pressured him about attending voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs), which Jackson skipped last year. Bayless also suggested these comments came amid the team’s desire for Jackson to restructure his contract to create salary cap space.
“The new Ravens OC, a 29-year-old who has never called an NFL play, just criticized Lamar Jackson’s after-snap decision-making last season … while urging him to be at OTAs (he wasn’t last yr) as Balt wants Lamar to restructure to create cap. This will not go well,” Bayless wrote on Twitter.
A close examination of Doyle’s actual comments reveals a drastically different tone than what Bayless suggested. During his introductory press conference, Doyle consistently praised Jackson’s abilities, particularly highlighting his dual-threat capabilities that force defenses to remain on high alert.
“The challenge with him for a defense is that they have to defend two plays on every play,” Doyle said. “They have to defend the first play that we call … and then they have to defend the second element, which is him creating on his own.”
Rather than criticizing Jackson’s improvisational skills, Doyle characterized them as an innate strength that Jackson has possessed “since he was a kid.” The coordinator’s assessment focused on how they could work together to refine execution within the structure of called plays, before improvisation becomes necessary.
“That first play can be more consistent at times, with his eyes, with his footwork, within the system,” Doyle noted, suggesting that improvement in pre-breakdown execution would make Jackson’s creative abilities even more dangerous to opposing defenses.
Throughout the press conference, Doyle emphasized Jackson’s “growth mindset” and “hunger to learn,” positioning their relationship as a collaborative effort rather than a situation requiring major changes to the quarterback’s playing style.
When asked about expectations for the team’s offseason program, Doyle spoke broadly about the entire roster, not singling out Jackson as Bayless claimed. “We would expect them to be here and certainly it is voluntary,” Doyle said. “But also, if you want to say that you’re going to win a championship … certainly that’s going to take work.”
This marks another reset year for Jackson, who has already worked with multiple offensive coordinators during his NFL career. The Ravens’ coaching change brings new opportunities but also new challenges as the team seeks to maximize Jackson’s unique talents.
The early indications suggest Doyle understands the delicate balance between structure and spontaneity that makes Jackson special. Rather than trying to reinvent their star quarterback, the Ravens appear focused on refining the operation around him—providing Jackson with a system that can showcase his extraordinary abilities while addressing the offensive inconsistencies that hampered the team last season.
As Baltimore prepares for the 2024 campaign, the success of this young coordinator-quarterback partnership could determine whether the Ravens return to championship contention in the competitive AFC.
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10 Comments
The reported comments from Skip Bayless seem like an attempt to stir up controversy. Unless there’s clear evidence, I’m skeptical about claims of Doyle criticizing Jackson’s decision-making or OTA attendance.
Kudos to Doyle for taking the time to connect with Jackson before jumping into the Xs and Os. Establishing that rapport upfront is so important, especially for a young coordinator.
Interesting to see Doyle’s acknowledgment that Jackson’s production dipped last season. Will be curious to see what changes he implements to get the offense back on track.
The Ravens’ offense has so much potential with Jackson at the helm. Doyle seems focused on unlocking that by aligning their partnership. Looking forward to seeing what they can achieve together.
The reports of Doyle criticizing Jackson’s decision-making and OTA attendance seem questionable. Building trust and open communication will likely be a bigger priority for the new OC.
Interesting to hear Doyle’s focus on building a strong partnership with Jackson. As the new OC, getting on the same page will be crucial for reviving the Ravens’ offense after a tough season.
Agreed. Doyle’s proactive approach to connect with Jackson is a smart move to lay the groundwork for their working relationship.
Curious to see how Doyle plans to get the most out of Jackson’s unique skillset as a dual-threat QB. Reviving the passing game while maintaining Jackson’s running ability will be a delicate balance.
Building a strong relationship with the franchise QB is clearly Doyle’s top priority as the new Ravens OC. Seems like a smart approach to lay that foundation first.
It’s good to see Doyle take the time to assess their compatibility before fully committing to the OC role. A strong QB-OC dynamic is so important, especially for a young, dynamic player like Jackson.