Ravens OC Todd Monken said he is fully focused on the Ravens' upcoming divisional round showdown at Buffalo, even with two head coaching interviews, and he lamented the coaching hiring timetable that falls during the NFL postseason.
Todd Monken will have a busy weekend, but he says that he's focused on only one thing heading into the Divisional Round.
As the Chicago Bears evaluate candidates for their next head coach, one contender raises concerns about the NFL's challenging interview timeline.
A Heisman candidate and star college quarterback at Utah and cover model for the NCAA Football 10 video game, Johnson got his start in coaching at his alma mater and became the youngest FBS offensive coordinator at age 24. He has mentored the likes of Dak Prescott, Kyle Trask and Jalen Hurts (whose dad, Averion, coincidentally coached Johnson).
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Monken will interview with the Jaguars on Thursday and the Bears on Friday. The interviews will take place remotely, which is the case for all interviews with coaches currently employed by NFL teams at this point in the process.
Buffalo likes to line up in its nickel personnel on defense, which should give Baltimore an advantage in the run game with Derrick Henry.
"Hopefully, Zay will be able to go, but if not, we have a lot of really good players," Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken said Thursday. "We really do. We're fortunate. We have a lot of really good players, and we anticipate them playing well."
With the power running of Derrick Henry and a versatile offense, the Ravens believe they will excel against Buffalo even if the elements are nasty.
Several of the top candidates for head coaching jobs around the NFL have to juggle their teams' playoff commitments with their personal pursuits.
After a 5-12, last-place season that included 10 consecutive losses and the in-season firings of coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, the Chicago Bears are now embarking on a search to hire the franchise’s next head coach.
ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday says the Ravens are “bludgeoning teams” with their offensive line and bruising running back Derrick Henry.