Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is in the middle of one of the busiest weeks of his career. On one hand, he’s helping the Ravens prepare for a massive AFC divisional playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. On the other, he’s interviewing for two head coaching positions. And for Monken, the timing of it all isn’t ideal.
“The way the system is set up is unfortunate, but it is what it is,”Monken said on Thursday. “But I’m excited to play the Bills-that’s where my mind’s at.”
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Monken’s week has been anything but ordinary. On Thursday, he interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he’s set to talk with the Chicago Bears on Friday-just two days before Baltimore’s playoff showdown. Under NFL rules, playoff coaches can interview for head coaching jobs, but only during a small window following the wild-card round.
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“This time of year can be tough,”Monken admitted. “Balancing everything is part of the job, but it doesn’t make it easy.”
Despite the tight schedule, Monken insists his preparation for the Bills hasn’t suffered. He pointed out that much of the work for head coaching interviews is done in the offseason, allowing him to keep his primary focus on the Ravens.
“All of my focus last week was on the Steelers, and all of my focus this week is on the Bills,”Monken said. “I love my job here, and I’m fully committed to helping us win.”
Monken’s contributions to the Ravens this season have been monumental. Baltimore’s offense led the league with 424.9 yards per game and made NFL history by surpassing 4,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in the same season. Monken’s system also helped Lamar Jackson achieve a career year, with the star quarterback posting 4,172 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes.
Head coaching ambitions won’t distract from Ravens’ playoff goals
This isn’t Monken’s first brush with head coaching interviews. Last year, he met with the Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers, and his name continues to pop up for top jobs. Monken sees this as a testament to the success of the Ravens as a whole.
“It’s a compliment to this organization-our players, our coaches-that there’s interest,” Monken said.
While the interviews might seem like a distraction, Monken has made it clear that his current job comes first. With the Bills looming on Sunday, his focus remains on helping Baltimore move one step closer to a Super Bowl.
“The timing might not be perfect,”Monken said, “but I’m locked in on what matters most.”
For now, the balancing act continues, but Monken is determined to keep the Ravens’ playoff hopes alive while navigating what could be the next big step in his career.
