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Ravens' offensive red flag could jeopardize Todd Monken's future

Originally posted on Ebony Bird | By Connor Burke | Last updated Oct 4, 2025 8:00 AM ET

While the Baltimore Ravens are the third-best scoring offense in the NFL, their operations under Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken have left a slew of questions. Although they have scored an outstanding 32.8 points per game, the running game, which was the best in the league in 2024, has yet to find its rhythm.

Much of that inability to find a rhythm falls on Monken’s shoulders. Baltimore ranks ninth in the league in rushing with 934 yards, but outside of a Week 1 performance against the Buffalo Bills, where they eclipsed 200 rushing yards, they have not found their footing.

So far in 2025, of the 218 offensive snaps the Ravens have run this year, 141 have been passing plays, while just 77 have been running plays, per Pro Football Focus. In comparison, in 2024, the team ran 639 passing plays and 604 running plays. Monken is undoubtedly leaning into the passing game more as Jackson develops, but it was far more even last year, and with a player like Henry in the backfield, that is how it should be.

Unfortunately, Baltimore has failed to sustain a strong running game for all four quarters this year, and former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky highlighted a shocking stat that may leave people scratching their heads.

“A month into the season, the Baltimore Ravens with Derrick Henry, are the 32nd-ranked offense in the NFL when it comes to giving the ball to their running back on first or second down, meaning they run the football on first or second down the least,” Orlovsky said. “Yet, when they do it, they’re second in yards per carry at six.”

See the full video below:

This is shocking and honestly unacceptable pic.twitter.com/v3FFvTdrqW
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) October 2, 2025

Todd Monken needs to adjust his offensive philosophy

Jackson is an elite playmaker. He has become a legitimate threat as a passer and is still dangerous as a scrambler. However, it is clear through four weeks that this has not been the path to winning games. Sure, the rushing attack has struggled early on, but Henry is not going to be able to find a rhythm if he is not being given the chances to do so.

The Ravens have a defense that ranks worst in the league in points allowed, and it is clear every time they go out on the field, they are gassed. If Monken allows Henry and the rest of the running game to set the tone and pace on offensive drives, it would give the defense the breather they need to at least show some sort of competitiveness when they take the field.

This also helps them out significantly in the time of possession battle. In the Lamar Jackson era, Baltimore tends to chew the clock and slow down the pace of the game. However, Head Coach John Harbaugh’s clock management has been questionable at times, and the lack of Henry’s usage through four weeks adds a layer to that.

If this team wants any chance at success in 2025, they must lean on their best players, and one of those is Henry. With such an injury-riddled team, Henry is one of those players who can take the weight off the shoulders of everyone. He is capable of handling the workload, and in Week 5 against the Houston Texans, he should demand carries.