The Baltimore Ravens’ decision to hire Declan Doyle as their new offensive coordinator marks one of the most intriguing coaching moves of the 2026 NFL offseason, signaling a bold shift toward innovation and youth on Jesse Minter’s newly formed staff.
A New Era Begins in Baltimore
The Ravens’ coaching overhaul began with the surprising dismissal of longtime head coach John Harbaugh, followed by the swift hiring of former Chargers defensive coordinator. With Minter now tasked with reshaping the franchise’s identity, the offensive coordinator position became one of the most critical hires of the offseason.
After interviewing several candidates, Baltimore zeroed in on Bears offensive coordinator Doyle, one of the league’s fastest-rising young minds.
Doyle, just 30 years old, brings a résumé that belies his age. He has already served six seasons as an NFL assistant, including stints with the Saints, Broncos, and, most recently, the Bears, where he helped engineer one of the league’s most balanced and explosive offenses. In 2025, Chicago ranked ninth in points, sixth in total yards, third in rushing, and tenth in passing: an impressive feat for a team that had struggled to find offensive consistency in prior years.
Why Doyle Was the Right Fit
Baltimore’s interest in Doyle was no secret. The team had requested an interview earlier in the hiring cycle, even as Doyle withdrew from consideration for the Eagles’ offensive coordinator vacancy. His decision to pass on Philadelphia but pursue Baltimore’s opening suggests a strong belief in the Ravens’ roster, particularly the opportunity to work with former MVP Lamar Jackson.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky had previously identified Doyle as one of the top candidates for the Ravens, citing his background in the Shanahan–McVay offensive tree. According to Orlovsky, coaches from this system excel at creating simple concepts that appear complex to defenses, maximizing versatility and elevating the performance of every position group. This philosophy aligns perfectly with Baltimore’s desire to modernize its offense while maintaining the physical identity that has defined the franchise for decades.
What Doyle Brings to the Ravens
Doyle’s offensive approach emphasizes:
- Pre-snap motion and misdirection to create mismatches
- Run-game diversity, blending zone concepts with power elements
- Quarterback-friendly reads that simplify decision-making
- Multiple looks from identical formations, forcing defenses to hesitate
These principles should mesh well with Jackson’s dual-threat skill set. Jackson has thrived in systems that blend structure with improvisation, and Doyle’s scheme is designed to give quarterbacks both clarity and freedom. The Ravens’ offense, which has at times struggled with consistency and predictability, could benefit enormously from Doyle’s creativity.
Doyle’s track record with tight ends, stemming from his time as the Broncos’ TE coach, could reinvigorate a position group that has long been central to Baltimore’s identity. His experience working under Sean Payton in New Orleans also adds a layer of offensive sophistication rooted in timing, spacing, and precision.
The Road Ahead
The Ravens’ decision to hire Doyle is not without risk. Critics point to his youth and limited experience as a play-caller. But Baltimore has never shied away from bold moves, and the organization’s stability provides an ideal environment for a young coordinator to grow.
More importantly, the Ravens needed fresh ideas. After years of oscillating between run-heavy schemes and attempts to modernize the passing game, Baltimore now has a coordinator whose system is proven, adaptable, and quarterback-centric.
Doyle’s mandate is clear: unlock the full potential of Lamar Jackson and guide the Ravens back to Super Bowl contention. With a talented roster, a new head coach, and a forward-thinking offensive architect, Baltimore is poised to enter a new era: one defined by innovation, balance, and renewed ambition.
The Ravens wanted a visionary. In Declan Doyle, they may have found exactly that.
