Why the Ravens New Offensive Coordinator Is Taking His Calls Upstairs for the 2026 Season
Declan Doyle’s first season as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator will come with plenty of attention, particularly because it will also mark his first opportunity to call plays at the NFL level. After arriving from the Chicago Bears’ staff under Ben Johnson, Doyle has joined first-year head coach Jesse Minter in Baltimore with the responsibility of helping maximize an offense led by Lamar Jackson. One of his earliest and most notable decisions has nothing to do with a specific formation, personnel package, or play design. Instead, Doyle has decided that he will call plays from the coaches’ booth rather than the sideline during the 2026 season.
The choice followed a preseason period in which Doyle was expected to experiment with working from both locations. However, ultimately found comfort in the booth during Baltimore’s two preseason games against the Eagles and Vikings. Calling plays from above gives an offensive coordinator a broader view of defensive fronts, coverage disguises, personnel substitutions, and how formations evolve before and after the snap. That perspective can be especially useful for a new play-caller attempting to identify patterns and make quick adjustments across four quarters. For Doyle, the biggest question was whether he could maintain efficient communication with Lamar Jackson and the offensive staff despite not being directly on the sideline.
After working from the booth, Doyle came away convinced that Baltimore’s setup allowed information to move cleanly between himself, quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork, and Jackson. “What I found was that it was pretty simple to communicate to him (Woolfork), to the quarterback, what the quarterback was feeling back to me,” Doyle said. “I thought our staff did a great job down on the field.” Those early results helped make the decision easier, as Doyle recognized that the staff could handle the responsibilities of relaying Jackson’s input without sacrificing the pace of the offensive operation.
Doyle ultimately trusted his instincts and chose the environment in which he felt he could best see and manage the game. “My gut was basically, ‘Hey, stay up here and let’s roll,’” Doyle said. It is a straightforward comment, but it also illustrates the confidence he has in Baltimore’s offensive staff and in the communication system established throughout training camp and preseason. Rather than treating the booth as a barrier between himself and the quarterback, Doyle sees it as a vantage point that can help him deliver clearer answers when defenses present problems.
That dynamic will matter most when the Ravens face the type of defensive looks that can force an offense out of rhythm. Jackson has long shown that he can create when a play breaks down, but the goal under Doyle should be to give him more consistent opportunities to attack favorable matchups before he has to rely on improvisation. The elevated view could help Doyle spot pressure tendencies, identify coverage rotations, and recognize when defenses are overcommitting to the run. If he can turn that information into effective play calls and adjustments, the booth decision could quietly become an important part of Baltimore’s offensive identity.
Doyle’s arrival also represents a meaningful transition for the Ravens. He comes to Baltimore after working under Johnson in Chicago, where he gained valuable experience inside an offense that emphasized structure, detail, and adaptability. However, this is the first time Doyle will own the play-calling process himself, meaning every decision, from early-down sequencing to red-zone calls and late-game adjustments, will be examined closely. Choosing to work from the booth is one way for him to establish the process that feels most natural as he takes on that responsibility.
The arrangement also fits the structure of Minter’s staff. As a defensive-minded head coach, Minter will naturally have significant responsibilities on that side of the ball, while Doyle is expected to take full ownership of the offense. That division allows Doyle to focus on the flow of the game from above while Minter manages defensive communication and bigger-picture game-management decisions. It also gives the Ravens a clear chain of command on offense, with Doyle directing the calls, assistants communicating on the field, and Jackson providing the feedback needed to make adjustments.
Ultimately, Doyle’s success will not be determined by whether he calls plays from the booth or the sideline. It will be measured by whether Baltimore’s offense is more consistent, more prepared for situational football, and more capable of sustaining drives in high-leverage moments. Still, his decision to stay upstairs is a revealing first step for a young coordinator attempting to put his own stamp on the Ravens. If the communication remains as smooth as it has been during the preseason, Doyle’s view from above could help Baltimore’s offense find a stronger rhythm in 2026.
