I already gave the Chicago Bears fans my top five rankings for the next Bears head coach. My sleeper pick could be one of the better fits for the Chicago Bears, though. This coach really only fits because of his high energy, attention to detail, and his fit with mobile quarterbacks. He is none other than Baltiomore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
The biggest issue with Monken is that he might only be an offensive coordinator. He was a head coach in college for Southern Mississippi for two years before becoming the Jameis Winston offensive coordinator.
At Southern Miss, he took a 0-12 team to relevancy with Nick Mullens. That first year, Mullens split time with another quarterback and threw for 1700 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. In year two, Mullens progressed to 2470 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. But the last year, Mullens had Monken as a head coach. He threw for 4400 yards, 38 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Mullens was never the same after his coach left for the NFL.
But that wouldn't be Monken's first time in the NFL. He started as Jacksonville's recievers coach. Marcedes Lewis could tell you all about him. However, that offense failed when they did draft two receivers in the first round that didn't pan out in the NFL. I believe that to be when Monken made a change. But more blame can be put on Dirk Koetter, the offensive coordinator.
Monken coached James Winton's best career season, but we all know Winston is a draft bust. There wasn't anything that could be done. Monken joined Freddie Kitchens and Steve Wilks in their one season with Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham, and Jarvis Landry. The offense put up numbers but had way too many turnovers and was infighting.
Monken then left for Georgia, where he created numerous draft prospects on the offensive side of the ball. I mean, it is Georgia, so there is that. Think of these names:
- Zamir White
- Darnell Washington
- James Cook
- Matt Landers
- George Pickens
- Brock Bowers
- Ladd McConkey
- Adonai Mitchell
- Jermain Burton
Those names all worked underneath Todd Monken at Georgia. Now, with Baltimore, Monken is well on his way to giving Lamar Jackson his third MVP ring, All-Pro, and maybe a shot at the title. Monken unlocked Lamar Jackson. If you need to know 4100 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, and four interceptions. That is outstanding. Do the Ravens have King Henry? Yep, but Jackson is working with one true #1 receiver in Zay Flowers.
Say what you want, but Monken is using his offense correctly. With quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, the only thing missing is the offensive line. And can he coach a full team and not just the offense? I say yes, yes, he can.