Ravens Hire Declan Doyle as Play-Calling Offensive Coordinator for Lamar Jackson

Following the hiring of Jesse Minter as head coach, the Baltimore Ravens have moved quickly to secure their offensive coordinator, announcing the addition of Declan Doyle from the Chicago Bears. Doyle, 29, will oversee play-calling duties for Lamar Jackson, marking a promotion in responsibility from his previous role in Chicago. The hire has drawn attention because Doyle and Jackson are the same age, making the duo one of the youngest coach-quarterback pairings in the NFL.

In Chicago, Doyle served as offensive coordinator under Ben Johnson but did not call plays, instead helping design the weekly game plan and managing offensive strategy behind the scenes. His move to Baltimore grants him full control of the offense, a significant step forward in his coaching career. Sources told ESPN that the Ravens’ decision gives Minter someone he can trust to run the offense effectively while shaping the team’s scheme around Jackson’s strengths.

Doyle’s career trajectory has been rapid. After three seasons as a student assistant at Iowa, he joined the NFL in 2019 as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints. He remained in New Orleans for several seasons, honing his craft before accepting a tight ends coaching position with the Denver Broncos in 2023.

The Ravens see Doyle as a young, innovative offensive mind who can develop Jackson’s game further while implementing a balanced scheme. With his promotion to play-caller, Baltimore is betting on both his creativity and ability to manage the offense at the highest level.

1. Doyle’s Coaching Background

Declan Doyle’s ascent through the coaching ranks has been swift. Starting at Iowa as a student assistant, he built experience in fundamentals, film study, and offensive scheme design. His early exposure to college-level coaching gave him a foundation for NFL responsibilities. In 2019, Doyle joined the Saints as an offensive assistant, a role he held for several seasons. There, he learned under experienced coordinators and head coaches, gaining insight into game planning, personnel evaluation, and in-game adjustments. He moved to the Denver Broncos in 2023 as tight ends coach, a position that allowed him to focus on skill development and positional schematics. This experience broadened his knowledge of personnel and scheme integration, preparing him for coordinator responsibilities. In 2025, Ben Johnson hired Doyle as offensive coordinator for the Bears. Although he did not call plays, Doyle played a central role in game planning, helping develop both the passing and rushing attacks. His work earned him recognition as one of the NFL’s rising offensive minds.

2. Impact on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens Offense

Doyle’s promotion to full offensive coordinator gives him control of play-calling, a responsibility that aligns directly with Jackson’s skill set. As a dual-threat quarterback, Jackson benefits from a system that balances run and pass options while creating space for his mobility to flourish. At just 29 years old, Doyle and Jackson form a young, dynamic leadership duo. Sources suggest their close age and shared perspective could foster strong communication and chemistry, allowing for a collaborative approach to in-game adjustments. The Ravens hope Doyle’s innovative mindset and experience developing game plans in Chicago will translate into a more explosive and adaptable offense. Jackson’s familiarity with modern schemes, combined with Doyle’s strategic flexibility, could make Baltimore one of the more unpredictable and effective offensive teams in the NFL. With play-calling in Doyle’s hands, the Ravens are looking to build an offense that maximizes Jackson’s talents while incorporating creativity and balance to keep defenses off-balance.

3. Looking Ahead Under Minter

As Jesse Minter enters his first season as head coach, hiring Doyle solidifies the Ravens’ offensive leadership. Minter can focus on overall team strategy while trusting Doyle to execute in-game decisions and manage the offense efficiently. Doyle’s youth and familiarity with modern NFL offenses position him well to introduce new concepts while maintaining the run-heavy, physical identity Baltimore has emphasized in recent seasons. His experience designing game plans for Chicago shows he can translate strategy into execution effectively. The Ravens now have a clear offensive hierarchy, with Jackson under center, Doyle calling plays, and Minter overseeing the broader team vision. This alignment sets the stage for a potentially transformative season as Baltimore looks to compete at the highest level. With Declan Doyle assuming play-calling duties, the Ravens pair a young, innovative coordinator with Lamar Jackson, aiming to elevate their offense for the 2026 season.