Ravens Hire Young OC Doyle to Call Plays

At 29, Declan Doyle embraces first NFL play-calling role with confidence after years of preparation.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 11:07am

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The Baltimore Ravens have hired 29-year-old Declan Doyle as their new offensive coordinator, entrusting him with play-calling duties despite his relative youth and inexperience. Doyle, who previously served as a quality control coach for the New Orleans Saints and an offensive assistant for the Chicago Bears, believes his age and shared perspective with star quarterback Lamar Jackson will be an asset as he transitions into this new leadership role.

Why it matters

Doyle's promotion to primary play-caller at such a young age is highly unusual in the NFL, where offensive coordinators typically have years of experience under their belts. However, the Ravens see Doyle's youth and connection with Jackson as potential advantages that could help their offense take the next step.

The details

Doyle has spent years preparing for this opportunity, arriving at stadiums hours early to mentally simulate game situations. While the "first-time play caller" label can invite skepticism, Doyle's preparation and rapport with Jackson have convinced Ravens head coach Jesse Minter that he is ready for the responsibility.

  • Doyle was hired as the Ravens' new offensive coordinator in February 2026.

The players

Declan Doyle

A 29-year-old offensive coordinator who is taking on play-calling duties for the first time in his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens.

Lamar Jackson

The Ravens' star quarterback, who is the same age as Doyle and is expected to have strong communication and alignment with the new offensive coordinator.

Jesse Minter

The head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, who has expressed confidence in Doyle's preparedness and ability to connect with the team's franchise quarterback.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously, it's a very different job. My job in Chicago was to support Ben and support our offense and try to get our guys on the same page. I was a communicator. I was a collaborator... but at the end of the day, he was the final stamp on anything we were doing as an offense.”

— Declan Doyle, Offensive Coordinator

“And so, this is a different role where now I'm the one stamping it and kind of leading the staff. Being the last guy to see it, articulating the vision, being able to sell that to the players, and then, ultimately, being able to call the plays on gameday was what attracted me to this opportunity.”

— Declan Doyle, Offensive Coordinator

“I have been preparing for a long time. Really (at) every job that I've had.”

— Declan Doyle, Offensive Coordinator

What’s next

The Ravens will be closely watching Doyle's performance as the team's new play-caller, as his ability to connect with Lamar Jackson and lead the offense will be crucial to the team's success in the upcoming season.

The takeaway

Doyle's promotion to offensive coordinator at just 29 years old is a bold move by the Ravens, but one they believe is justified by his strong preparation and natural rapport with star quarterback Lamar Jackson. If Doyle can translate his behind-the-scenes experience into on-field success, he could become one of the NFL's youngest and most innovative offensive minds.