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Ravens Install Declan Doyle as Play-Calling OC as Team Shifts to Play-Action Focus

Strong showings in training camp followed by convincing preseason and early regular-season games will determine if the play-action system revives Baltimore’s title chances or propels Doyle toward head-coaching opportunities.

Overview

  • Declan Doyle, the young coordinator who worked with Ben Johnson and studied Sean Payton concepts, has been installed as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator and will call plays under the new system.
  • Doyle plans a significantly higher volume of play-action passes, a concept he used heavily with Caleb Williams in Chicago in 2025 and now intends to adapt around Lamar Jackson.
  • Lamar Jackson has spent extra offseason time learning Doyle’s terminology, is reported healthy after an injury-affected 2025, and teammates such as Mark Andrews say he is adding new elements to his game.
  • The Ravens’ personnel moves—adding veteran blocker Durham Smythe and drafting Matthew Hibner and Josh Cuevas while losing Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar—align with Doyle’s tendency to favor tight ends and multi‑tight-end packages.
  • Doyle faces immediate pressure because live-game validation in camp, preseason and the early season will shape whether the scheme returns Baltimore to contender form and whether Doyle draws head-coaching interest.