Ravens Hire Former Bears OC for Same Position in Baltimore
On January 30th, 2026, the Baltimore Ravens announced the hiring of former Bears’ offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to be the new OC for the Ravens. Doyle, who is 29 years old, was the youngest coordinator in the league last year and is believed to hold that title into 2026. Granted, Doyle and the quick turnaround of the Chicago offensive success can most likely be attributed to Ben Johnson’s arrival and offensive playcalling as Chicago’s head coach, but Doyle still was responsible for game plans and the thorough organization of the offense. Doyle will run the offense that features a similarly aged two-time MVP, Lamar Jackson, on a team that recently appointed Jesse Minter as the fourth head coach in franchise history.
The 2024 Chicago Bears were near the bottom in almost every category, including points scored and yards per game, finishing the season at 5-12 and fourth in the NFC North. The Bears brought in former Lions OC Ben Johnson, who was the most sought-after coordinator in the hiring cycle. The Bears also brought in former Saints’ TE coach Declan Doyle to work under Johnson to help develop former first overall pick, Caleb Williams. In just one year, the Bears went from bottom-tier in every category to top-10 in almost all offensive metrics. The 2025 Bears were one of the most impressive turnarounds in a single season, and it had to do with their offense, leading them to a magical playoff run that ended with a divisional round loss to the Rams.
The Ravens have made plans to essentially clear house and get a fresh start after the firing of John Harbaugh. With Minter leading the team and calling the defense, Doyle will have full control of the offense led by two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. Other weapons at Doyle’s disposal include all-pro stars like Derrick Henry, Mark Andrews, and Zay Flowers. Quite the opposite of the Bears’ comparison of the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the Baltimore offense was stellar in 2023 and 2024, but struggled mightily in 2025, leading owner Steve Biscioti to start a new era for the franchise he has fully owned since 2004. Minter said he wanted a “connector and innovator, and a scheme builder around the best player in the world.” Doyle, who is preparing to be Jackson’s fourth OC in nine years, has never called an offense in his seven-year NFL coaching career, but history is on his side, as Lamar Jackson has produced MVP seasons after the past two offensive coordinators. The Ravens will be a top storyline in 2026 with all these changes, but it will be interesting to see how Doyle performs in his first year as the primary offensive play caller. Coach Doyle, welcome to Baltimore.
