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The Baltimore Ravens are tipped to lose a key free agent to former offensive coordinator Todd Monken and the Cleveland Browns.
Bringing back all of their key free agents will be a challenge for the Baltimore Ravens when the draw of playing for former coaches might be too strong, with a top playmaker tipped to reunite with ex-offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who is now head coach of AFC North rivals the Cleveland Browns.
A reunion with Monken makes sense for tight end Isaiah Likely, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports. Auman believes “Likely has good opportunities if he wants to sign elsewhere. He could follow John Harbaugh to the Giants or former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken to the Browns, and he might want a one-year deal ($8 million or so) for the chance to reset himself as a top-of-market free agent in 2027.”
Playing for Monken again should appeal to Likely. He enjoyed the two most productive seasons of his career when Monken was calling plays in Baltimore.
Likely is still an intriguing athlete the Ravens can find a role for in their own, post-Monken offense. Yet, with more pressing dilemmas in free agency, along with ample strength in depth at the position, general manager Eric DeCosta can choose to dedicate his solid salary cap funds elsewhere.
Ravens Waited Long Enough on Isaiah Likely’s Potential
The upside of Likely’s game is all about him being a wide receiver trapped inside the body of a tight end. He’s a dynamic target who can attack coverage from anywhere in a formation, but Likely’s numbers have rarely matched his potential.
There have been some false dawns, notably when Likely averaged a career-high 13.7 yards per reception in 2023. Or when he grabbed a career-best six touchdown catches a year later, but Likely has never quite developed into the nightmare mismatch he was billed to become.
The Ravens could feel justified about no longer wanting to wait for Likely to break out. Particularly given how his penchant for costly mistakes and mediocre production make him a risky buy.
It’s not like Monken’s successor, Declan Doyle, doesn’t have credible alternatives at the position.
Post-Todd Monken Offense Needs Right Building Blocks
Doyle replacing Monken doesn’t mean the Ravens won’t still be tethered to tight ends and heavy personnel. The Chicago Bears used a similar approach on Doyle’s watch last season, with Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet big parts of the passing game, while D’Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai ran behind Pro Bowl guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, along with Drew Dalman.
Replicating this blueprint should lead Doyle to leaning on veteran All-Pro Mark Andrews and fellow 2022 fourth-round pick Charlie Kolar, who would be cheaper and safer to retain in free agency.
What Doyle will more concerned about is building the kind of imposing offensive line he saw work for the Bears and before that with the Detroit Lions. The strength of the Ravens’ O-line will hinge on whether DeCosta can bring back skilled center Tyler Linderbaum.
He’s set to have his share of suitors, including former head coach John Harbaugh, but Linderbaum is a core player the Ravens should keep. If it’s a choice between paying Linderbaum or All-Pro fullback Patrick Ricard over Likely, that’s no choice at all for DeCosta, who must keep the front strong for Doyle’s brand of offense.
James Dudko covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL and world soccer since 2011, with bylines at FanSided, Prime Time Sports Talk and Bleacher Report before joining Heavy in 2021. More about James Dudko
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