The Baltimore Ravens sit at 13-2 and look to be the best team in the league, largely thanks to their prolific offense. It’s a unit that has utilized quarterback Lamar Jackson to his fullest — making him the frontrunner for the NFL’s MVP award — and a rushing attack that has eyes on an NFL record in Week 17. So it should come as no surprise that the guy responsible for the scheme is considered a hot head-coaching candidate already.
Ahead of the final regular-season game of 2019 and with several teams really beginning their search for their next coach, Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman fielded questions about his future with the team.
Roman essentially deflected, focusing on the task at hand and his current job, rather than adding fuel to the kindling rumor fire.
“You really don’t even pay attention to it… I love my job.”
OC Greg Roman was asked about being mentioned on head coaching lists. pic.twitter.com/jxRc3UgIsa
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 26, 2019
As much as I’d love Roman to stick around for another year, the Ravens don’t really have a good track record of keeping any coordinators who’ve been rumored targets for head coaching jobs, let alone offensive ones.
The last time the Ravens had a stellar season offensively, spurred by one of the best performances a quarterback wearing black and purple has had, that coordinator promptly fled to Denver where he won a Super Bowl. I’m, of course, speaking of Gary Kubiak, whose playcalling and stewardship of the offense led to Joe Flacco’s best season (statistically) as well as a playoff berth and run.
Overall, we’ve seen some of Baltimore’s best coordinators depart for greener pastures (i.e. lucrative head coaching roles) after some of the team’s best seasons. Aside from Kubiak, Jim Caldwell left for Detroit after helping the Ravens offense win Super Bowl XLVII. On the defensive side of the ball, Marvin Lewis, Rex Ryan, and Chuck Pagano all left for head coaching roles after noteworthy seasons.
So if history is any indicator, the likelihood of Roman remaining with the Ravens after Lamar Jackson’s performance this season, and subsequently one of Baltimore’s best seasons offensively, is pretty slim.
But there may be an x-factor here which keeps Roman in Baltimore. The Ravens’ offense is unlike anything this league has seen or even capable of being run by any other team right now. It’s plausible that other teams shy away from Roman while they try to work with prior draft picks and existing players that don’t fit the scheme that has developed in Baltimore.
Now, that might change as teams try to capture their own magic by copying the Ravens’ formula this season. It’s possible that owners and general managers see Roman as a catalyst that could spark some new creativity for teams that are looking for a rebuild and rebrand of sorts.
Either way, the Ravens have proven one thing this year: Doing things differently, taking risks and unconventional approaches can take the league by storm. The team currently has the best record in the NFL, home-field advantage in the playoffs and the best odds to win the Super Bowl.
Unfortunately, those factors undoubtedly make Roman a worthy target as opponents look to be the next Ravens . . . if it’s even possible.
What happens after the season is anyone’s guess, but Baltimore’s brass should do whatever they can to keep this unprecedented momentum moving forward.
Honestly, fans can only hope that Roman chooses to stay with the Ravens, especially with the prospect of being able to recapture and even build upon what this team has accomplished this season… if it’s even possible. Keeping Roman gives them as good a chance as any to make the possible a reality.
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