Ravens OC Todd Monken Will Take QB Lamar Jackson To 'Next Level'; NFL.com

The hiring of offensive coordinator Todd Monken by the Baltimore Ravens wasn't just a move to make the unit better, it was pointed right at making quarterback Lamar Jackson even better than he's already been.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is an NFL MVP, two-time Pro Bowler, has made First-Team All-Pro, and has 101 touchdown passes in five years, averaging 20 per year despite missing 14 games during that stretch.

But he could be better, by offensive design or execution, the Ravens set out to make Jackson's environment better this offseason in hopes that it would make the quarterback better.

"It feels like Monken arrived in Baltimore to make quarterback Lamar Jackson see that the Ravens really did have his back," says NFL.com. "Monken is supposed to take the quarterback to the next level with the pass game, as that has long been the fatal flaw for the Ravens when it comes to overcoming the other contenders in the AFC."

In fact, NFL.com says, Baltimore's hiring of Monken is the second-most impactful assistant coaching hire this offseason. 

Monken's addition to the Ravens trails only Nathaniel Hackett being hired by the New York Jets as their new offensive coordinator. Although, the addition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers that followed the hire may have something to do with that. 

"The Ravens didn't know what was going to happen with Jackson when they hired Monken away from the University of Georgia," NFL.com continues. "Now that Jackson is signed, it's easy to see how attractive the Ravens made his situation look with Monken in charge. Baltimore signed free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr...used a first-round pick on wide receiver Zay Flowers...and Monken will have every chance to make the attack more diversified."

That diversification of the Baltimore offense will make its opponents vary the way they defend it, and give Jackson even more opportunities to use his various talents against them. 

Making the reunion between quarterback and team all the more exciting, and giving the Ravens a shot of energy they'll need to keep up in the AFC arms race.

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