The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't waste time moving on from the Doug Pederson era. Just days after dismissing their head coach, they started the search for his replacement. The process is still ongoing, but they have already interviewed several candidates, including Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Monken interviewed for the Jaguars' vacancy on January 16.
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is interviewing today for the Jaguars head coaching job, and Friday for the Bears vacancy, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 16, 2025
Since taking over the Ravens offense in 2023, Monken has turned Lamar Jackson into a well-rounded quarterback. While the two-time league MVP has always been talented, it wasn't until Monken became the coordinator that he really took his game to the next level.
Under Greg Roman, the Ravens were a running team that relied on Jackson to keep defenses on their toes. He still takes off everyone and them but he now primarily uses his arm to win football games. Having said that, the seventh-year quarterback isn't the only player who's benefitted from Monken's tutelage.
Wide receiver Zay Flowers became a Pro Bowl receiver under his wing, and the Baltimore offensive line is one of the best in the league. This reflects well on Monken, who's a legitimate candidate for coaching jobs in this hiring cycle.
In Jacksonville, Monken could help Trevor Lawrence clean his game and become a top-10 quarterback once again. Similarly, players such as tight end Brenton Strange, wide receiver Brenton Strange, and star receiver Brian Thomas Jr. would greatly benefit from his presence.
For the sake of the argument, let's say Monken becomes the next Jaguars head coach, he could bring in these pending Ravens free agents with him to Jacksonville.
Nelson Agholor, wide receiver
When Zay Flowers was voted for the Pro Bowl, it turned heads around the league because he became the first receiver in Ravens history to accomplish the feat. Having said that, there are other several dependable targets on the Baltimore roster. One of them is Nelson Agholor.
Nelly was a first-round pick by the Philadephia Eagles in 2015. Although he never turned into a superstar, he's been reliable at every stop in his career. The former USC Trojan has taken on a complementary role in recent years and could help the Jags in that capacity.
In 2024, Agholor hauled in 14 receptions for 231 yards with two touchdowns. Moreover, he averaged 16.5 yards per reception. In Jacksonville, he could provide depth and even challenge 2024 free-agent disappointment Gabe Davis for playing time.
Josh Johnson, quarterback
C.J. Beathard was the primary backup behind Trevor Lawrence from 2021-2023. He was still with the Jags last year, but Mac Jones was also added to the mix. Both of them are now slated to become free agents in 2025, and it's uncertain if either one will return. If Todd Monken takes over, he could bring in Josh Johnson with him.
Johnson is well-traveled and has spent time with several NFL teams. He's also played in the Alliance of American Football and the XFL, so it's fair to say that he isn't lacking experience. The Jags could bring in Johnson and also draft a young quarterback prospect to develop under his wing.
Marcus Williams, safety
One of the biggest decisions the Jaguars need to make this offseason is whether they'll re-sign Andre Cisco. If he walks, Marcus Williams could be a viable replacement.
Williams began his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints and later joined the Baltimore Ravens. He's missed several games each of the past three seasons but still is a dependable option in the backfield.
It's worth noting that Williams was benched at one point last year for internal reasons, but it looks like it was quickly solved. It wouldn't hurt to kick the tires on him in free agency.
Trayvon Mullen, cornerback
One of the Jaguars' biggest priorities this offseason will be finding a starting cornerback opposite Tyson Campbell. They could do so in either free agency or the draft. Trayvon Mullen could be a low-key enticing option in the open market.
Mullen was a second-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019. He was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2022 and landed with the Dallas Cowboys later that year. He joined the Ravens in 2023 and has been hampered by injuries the past two years. However, he could be a solid depth addition to the Jaguars' cornerback room.