Ravens OC suggests Lamar Jackson’s role could change in new offense

When the Baltimore Ravens replaced offensive coordinator Greg Roman with Todd Monken, it was presumed they were trying to rely less on quarterback Lamar Jackson’s running ability.

And while Monken didn’t outright commit to Jackson taking fewer carries in 2023, he did admit that the 26-year-old’s role in the offense could change to be more of a passer. 

However, Monken conceded that running, which is arguably what Jackson is best it, isn’t completely off the table.

"As you get further into your career … you want to take some of that (pressure to run) off the player as best as you can,” Monken told reporters on Wednesday. “But he also has a unique trait, a unique skill set. You can't take that completely out of his toolbox because that's a huge weapon for him and for us, is using his feet."

Jackson has rushed for 4,437 yards on 727 carries — fifth- and sixth-most, respectively, among quarterbacks in NFL history. But he’s never finished a full season as the Ravens starting QB, missing a combined 12 games over the last four years. 

Over that span, Jackson scrambled 179 times (undesigned runs by the quarterback) and took 116 sacks plus 69 QB hits, per Pro Football Focus.

So in addition to Monken running the offense now, Baltimore got Jackson a better supporting cast of weapons to throw to. 

The team signed Nelson Agholor and three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr. plus used its first-round pick on dynamic receiver Zay Flowers from Boston College.