Ravens OC Todd Monken praises Odell Beckham Jr. amid team's pressing need at WR

New Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken sounds more than willing to work with star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. once again. 

"I don’t know why everybody gets p----- off — like, he wants the ball," Monken said during his introductory news conference about Beckham's personality, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "Well, really? I don’t know where I’ve been where a great player didn’t want the ball. I don’t know where a basketball player didn’t want shots or a baseball player didn’t want to get at-bats. That’s what they want; they want opportunities to showcase their ability. I think it’s awesome."

Monken served as Beckham's offensive coordinator when both were with the Cleveland Browns during the 2019 NFL season. More recently, Beckham didn't play a meaningful snap of pro football this past campaign as he recovered from the torn ACL in his left knee he suffered in February 2022. 

The Dallas Cowboys have routinely been linked with Beckham since the fall, and Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones has made it known Dallas "absolutely" would resume discussions with the three-time Pro Bowl selection who remains a free agent. Meanwhile, Kevin Eck of the Ravens' website mentioned on Wednesday that wide receiver is the top position the club should prioritize this offseason. 

"When you’re under the microscope like he is, it really is hard," Monken added about Beckham. "But I liked Odell a lot. I liked his skillset, liked his work ethic. He fought through an injury. Tremendous." 

Beckham visited the Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and New York Giants during the 2022 campaign and presumably could be courted by those same clubs at any point. Assuming the Ravens keep Lamar Jackson as their starting quarterback for at least one more year, Beckham could be convinced to sign with the postseason hopefuls so he can play alongside a Most Valuable Player signal-caller and be coached by Monken.