BALTIMORE — The Ravens could have played it safe. After hiring new coach Jesse Minter, Baltimore could have prioritized experience and proven play-calling at offensive coordinator. The Ravens could have dipped back into their coaching candidate pool and found their next offensive leader.

They did not.

Instead, they hired Declan Doyle, a first-time NFL play-caller the same age, 29, as quarterback Lamar Jackson, and placed the future of their offense and much of Jackson’s prime in Doyle’s hands. A source with direct knowledge confirmed Friday evening to The Baltimore Sun that the Ravens are hiring Doyle to join Minter’s staff as offensive coordinator.

These consecutive hires reveal the franchise’s posture at a critical moment.

With Doyle joining the flock, consider this a huge bet on a recent youth movement in Baltimore and that hyper-modern offensive thinking and projection can unlock more consistency from a unit that too often stalled despite its talent. The Ravens have proven to be an explosive bunch, but untimely mistakes have drowned Baltimore like a backpack full of bricks in the deep end.

Doyle inherits an offense with no shortage of high-end options. Jackson remains the most important centerpiece, joined by running back Derrick Henry, tight end Mark Andrews and wide receiver Zay Flowers. Doyle also boasts an existing relationship with three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, a pending free agent, thanks to their Iowa roots.

Doyle’s challenge is to turn that collection of offensive star power into a group that is more reliable, especially in moments that demand precision and timely execution. During Minter’s introductory news conference Thursday, he noted how he wants the Ravens to be at their best “late in the season,” a direct acknowledgement of his predecessor John Harbaugh’s failures from the past two years.

The Ravens are hoping Doyle can bring some of that coaching juice he enjoyed in Chicago.

The Bears, coming off a commendable run to the NFC divisional round, finished the 2025 season ranked ninth in points per game and sixth in total offense. Meanwhile, the playoff-less Ravens finished 16th in total offense. Although Doyle did not call plays, he worked extensively in game planning and quarterback development under coach Ben Johnson, including close collaboration with second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.

Williams impressively topped 225 passing yards in 10 games this past season. Jackson reached that mark just twice.

Yep. Just twice.

That contrast in offensive consistency extends beyond yardage.

Despite logging 441 more snaps across four additional starts than Jackson, Williams was sacked just 24 times. Jackson was taken down 36 times, marking the second-highest sack total of his eight-year career. For Doyle, reducing unnecessary exposure while preserving Jackson’s creativity will be one of the most delicate and important balances to strike.

The differences were just as stark among the pass catchers.

In Chicago, the Bears spread production evenly across the offense, with four players finishing with more than 650 receiving yards. Baltimore never came close to that balance. Flowers was the only Ravens pass catcher to eclipse 425 yards. Flowers and Andrews also were the only two Ravens to record more than 30 receptions all season, while the Bears had seven players reach that mark.

Expanding involvement and creating dependable options beyond just Flowers will be essential if the Ravens want to create a more diverse and sustainable passing attack.

Nowhere is that need more urgent than in the red zone. Baltimore regressed sharply inside the 20 last season, finishing 27th in red zone touchdown percentage. As for ball security, the Ravens’ skill players had 20 fumbles compared with Chicago’s 13.

Can Doyle right the offensive ship and get Jackson back to MVP form?

Sure, he’s the NFL’s youngest offensive coordinator, but Doyle is at least arriving with reinforcements.

Minter’s offensive staff is expected to include Dwayne Ledford, who is reportedly being hired away from Atlanta. Ledford, 49, is widely regarded as one of the league’s top offensive line coaches and run game coordinators. His presence should provide some balance and grounding for a young coordinator and first-time play-caller who inherits an imposing force in Henry.

Additionally, the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles requested permission to interview Doyle for their previous offensive coordinator vacancy before he withdrew his name from consideration. It’s a nod to Doyle’s rise among the coaching ranks.

Doyle also brings valuable seasoning from his time working under Sean Payton, first as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints and later as the Denver Broncos’ tight ends coach. Doyle’s five combined seasons under Payton offered him exposure to quarterback-centric systems and Payton’s known ability to evolve his offense. Not a bad mentor to have in your back pocket as Doyle takes on the biggest challenge in his career.

Pairing a first-time coach with a first-time play-caller is by no means a conservative path. It’s an admirable move with plenty of risk. And for an offense that’s struggled to stay afloat, the Ravens are counting on Doyle to provide the lift.

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