The Baltimore Ravens are currently on the hunt for a new offensive coordinator following a transition in leadership on their coaching staff. With Todd Monken’s departure to take the reins as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Ravens are faced with the critical task of finding a new leader for their offense. The offensive coordinator is a key position, responsible for guiding the team’s offensive scheme, adjusting game plans, and directly working with players to improve performance. As the search for this pivotal figure continues, one name in particular has emerged as a “name to watch” — a Ravens assistant who could very well take the reins and lead the team into a new chapter.
The Search for the New Offensive Coordinator
When the Ravens lost Monken to the Jaguars, it left a considerable gap on their coaching staff. Monken had previously been an important asset to the Ravens’ offensive growth, particularly in terms of bringing a more modern and explosive approach to their offensive strategies. The Ravens’ offense, which had traditionally leaned heavily on their run game and a power-based attack, took strides toward incorporating more passing and spread concepts during Monken’s tenure. This shift was largely seen as a step forward for a team that had been known for relying on the legs of quarterback Lamar Jackson.
With Monken now gone, the Ravens must find a new offensive coordinator who can continue to build on the momentum of this transformation while addressing some of the offensive issues that still remain. The Ravens have the potential to be a dynamic offensive team, with a quarterback in Jackson who is one of the most electrifying playmakers in the NFL. The challenge for the new offensive coordinator will be to unlock Jackson’s full potential, while also continuing to leverage the team’s strong running game and adapting to the changing nature of the league.
An Inside Look at the Candidates
As the Ravens search for a new offensive coordinator, several names have been floated as potential candidates. Among these candidates, one name stands out as a potential in-house option: Ravens assistant coach and quarterbacks coach, James Urban.
James Urban has been with the Ravens for several years and has a well-established reputation within the organization. He has worked with Lamar Jackson since the 2018 draft and is widely regarded as one of the key figures in Jackson’s development as a quarterback. Urban has been instrumental in refining Jackson’s mechanics and overall understanding of the game. His familiarity with Jackson’s strengths and weaknesses makes him an ideal candidate to continue the work that Monken started in building an offense that better utilizes the quarterback’s dynamic skill set.
Urban is no stranger to coordinating offenses either. Before joining the Ravens, he had coaching stints with the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles, where he helped guide quarterbacks and served as a key assistant on offensive staffs. His experience in various NFL offenses could bring a fresh perspective to the Ravens’ play-calling and offensive design, while also helping to maintain the continuity that has been established with Jackson’s development.
Additionally, Urban is well-respected by players within the Ravens organization, and his rapport with Jackson could be a significant asset as the team looks to maintain its competitive edge. His deep knowledge of the team’s personnel and culture is a valuable asset for a team that is looking to maintain its identity while evolving its offense.
The Case for James Urban
Why would the Ravens consider promoting James Urban to the offensive coordinator position? The answer lies in his deep understanding of the offense, his connection with Lamar Jackson, and his experience developing quarterbacks.
Lamar Jackson, since entering the league, has been the centerpiece of the Ravens’ offensive attack. His unique blend of athleticism and skill has made him one of the most exciting players to watch in the NFL. The challenge for the Ravens has always been building an offense that plays to his strengths. Under Urban’s guidance, Jackson has significantly improved as a passer, showcasing growth in areas such as accuracy, decision-making, and consistency. Urban’s intimate knowledge of Jackson’s progress gives him a unique advantage in being able to further refine Jackson’s development.
Furthermore, the Ravens are a team that values continuity and chemistry. Urban’s familiarity with the organization, its culture, and the players within the locker room is a huge asset. Transitioning to a new offensive coordinator who is already embedded in the team can help streamline the process of implementing new systems and philosophies. Urban has built relationships with the Ravens’ roster over several seasons, and that rapport could prove invaluable when navigating the complexities of a coaching change.
Another compelling reason for promoting Urban is his versatility. Urban has experience working under multiple offensive philosophies during his time with other NFL teams. From the more traditional approach in Cincinnati to the spread-based concepts he worked with in Philadelphia, Urban has been exposed to various offensive systems. This breadth of experience could enable him to adapt his approach to the strengths of the players around him, especially Lamar Jackson, as the Ravens look to expand their offensive playbook.
Moreover, Urban is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks not just on the field but in terms of mental preparation and leadership. Jackson has matured into one of the league’s top quarterbacks under Urban’s tutelage, and the Ravens may see promoting Urban as a natural next step in their journey to building a sustainable offense for the long term.
What Would Urban’s Offensive Philosophy Look Like?
If James Urban were to take over as offensive coordinator for the Ravens, what kind of offense could we expect to see? It’s important to recognize that Urban would likely continue some of the core principles that have defined the Ravens’ offense in recent years. The team’s ability to run the ball effectively is a major strength, and Urban would likely continue to emphasize a strong rushing attack, especially with the emergence of running back J.K. Dobbins and the dynamic capabilities of Jackson as a dual-threat quarterback.
However, Urban has also worked in more diverse offensive systems and has a clear understanding of how to build an offense that takes advantage of modern passing concepts. While Jackson is still developing as a passer, Urban would likely continue to help him refine his mechanics and expand his arsenal in the passing game. This could involve more deep shots down the field, the utilization of play-action passing, and more designed rollouts to capitalize on Jackson’s mobility.
Urban’s offense would likely focus on balancing the run game with a more aggressive passing attack. His familiarity with Jackson’s skill set would enable him to design plays that get the best out of the quarterback’s unique ability to make plays both with his arm and his legs. Additionally, Urban has a history of adapting his schemes based on the personnel he has, meaning the offense would likely evolve to incorporate the talents of the Ravens’ playmakers.
Why the Ravens Should Consider Promoting Urban
While there are certainly other candidates for the offensive coordinator role, promoting James Urban to this position offers a number of benefits that make sense for the Ravens. First, Urban is a known commodity within the organization. The team already knows his ability to connect with players, particularly Lamar Jackson, and his familiarity with the Ravens’ offensive system provides continuity that could be crucial for a smooth transition.
Second, Urban has a proven track record of developing quarterbacks, which is an area where the Ravens need to continue their growth. Jackson’s potential as a passer remains an area of focus for the team, and Urban is the coach who knows him best and has worked closely with him since his rookie year. There is no better candidate to continue this developmental work than Urban, whose relationship with Jackson could be the key to unlocking even more potential from the young quarterback.
Finally, Urban has the versatility and experience to adapt his offensive philosophy as needed. Whether it’s a run-heavy attack or a more balanced system, Urban can implement the changes necessary to keep the offense modern and unpredictable. His diverse background working under different offensive systems gives him the ability to tailor his approach to the needs of the Ravens’ personnel.
The Ravens’ Offensive Future
Ultimately, the Ravens are at a crossroads with their offense. After years of leaning heavily on their run game, they are in a position where they need to find a balance between their traditional strengths and a more dynamic passing attack. Lamar Jackson is a franchise quarterback, and his development as a passer will be critical to the team’s success in the coming years.
James Urban, as a potential offensive coordinator, offers the perfect blend of continuity, expertise, and innovation to help guide the Ravens’ offense to the next level. His familiarity with Jackson, his experience developing quarterbacks, and his ability to adapt his system make him a compelling candidate to take over the reins of the Ravens’ offensive unit.
As the Ravens continue their search for an offensive coordinator, James Urban remains a “name to watch” as he stands out as an in-house candidate who could very well be the right person to lead the team into the future. Whether or not the Ravens make this promotion, it is clear that Urban has played an instrumental role in the growth of the offense, and his influence will continue to be felt as the team moves forward.