The NFL coaching carousel is spinning, and every team with a vacancy is looking for that transformative leader who can take their roster to the next level. Well, almost every team.
Despite Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken emerging as one of the hottest head-coaching candidates in this cycle, the New England Patriots, New York Jets, and New Orleans Saints haven’t requested an interview with the Ravens offensive coordinator—at least not yet.
Monken’s resume speaks for itself. He’s been the architect of the league’s top offense in Baltimore, guiding Lamar Jackson to an MVP season while helping the Ravens become the first team in NFL history to eclipse 4,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in the same year.
So, with Monken at the top of nearly every coaching candidate list, it’s a bit surprising that three teams in need of a fresh start haven’t jumped at the chance to bring him in for an interview.
Monken mania—the Jets, Patriots, and Saints are clearly missing out (for now)
The Patriots have been trying to find their post-Belichick identity. They’ve got a talented young quarterback in Drake Maye and the kind of salary cap space most teams would envy, but their offense lacked creativity last season. Monken could be the answer, bringing a QB-friendly system and fresh ideas that could finally pull New England out of its offensive funk.
Then there’s the Jets. They’ve been in playoff purgatory since the Mark Sanchez days, and while their defense is solid, the offense has been, well, less than inspiring. Monken’s ability to craft schemes that maximize talent feels like exactly what the Jets need—whether Aaron Rodgers stays or not.
And let’s not forget the Saints, who are dealing with both cap struggles and Derek Carr’s middling production. Monken’s history of building efficient, dynamic offenses might be the perfect way to get New Orleans back on track.
Here’s a fun tidbit: All the teams skipping out on Monken’s magic share one thing in common—they’ve got “New” in their name. Coincidence? Maybe. But if these franchises keep playing it safe, it’s hard to imagine them seeing anything “new” in their results anytime soon.
The league is built on explosive offenses, creative play-calling, and quarterbacks thriving in well-designed systems. Monken has shown he can deliver on all fronts.
The Las Vegas Raiders have added their name to the list of teams eyeing the Ravens’ offensive coordinator, joining the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars in requesting an interview. Meanwhile, the Patriots, Jets, and Saints are holding off—for now—and risk missing out on one of the most innovative minds in football.
The #Bears put in a request to interview #Ravens OC Todd Monken for their head coaching job, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 6, 2025
The #Raiders have requested permission to interview #Ravens OC Todd Monken, source said. Another one for Monken, who has emerged as a key candidate.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2025
We have requested to interview the following candidates for our Head Coach vacancy. pic.twitter.com/pYHk3LnUjI
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 7, 2025
If Monken ends up turning a team into a contender, fans in New England, New York, and New Orleans might be left wondering: Why didn’t we at least take a meeting? Finding a coach who can elevate an offense is rare, and Monken is more than just a play-caller—he’s a leader who knows how to win.
By passing on Monken for now, these teams are taking the scenic route, while others are speeding ahead with a bold vision for the future. For the Ravens, the hope is that Monken stays put to keep Baltimore’s electric offense firing on all cylinders. Wherever he lands, though, his impact is bound to be felt.