Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle’s rise has been meteoric. The 29-year-old became the youngest play-caller in the NFL when he was hired last month after just seven years as an NFL assistant coach.
Doyle told Baltimore’s “The Lounge” podcast that he sees his age as a benefit, allowing him to connect with players.
"I view it as an advantage," Doyle said, via the team’s official website. "Because I've grown up in the same world as some of these guys, I'm able to connect with them maybe a little bit easier than it might be for somebody who's 20 years older than a player. I've never viewed it as a setback. It's actually something I've found that's been a benefit to me.
"Knowledge is power. If you can help a player, they really don't care where you come from. They don't care how old you are. If you can help them advance their career, if you can help them advance our team and goals, they're willing to listen, and they're wide open to that."
Doyle has been on an epic fast track. His first job out of college was as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints in 2019 under Sean Payton. In 2023, he re-joined Payton with the Denver Broncos as tight ends coach, a gig he held for two seasons. Then, Ben Johnson plucked Doyle from Payton’s staff to be his OC. Since Johnson calls plays in Chicago, the Ravens were able to offer an upgrade and hire the schemer to be the centerpiece of Jesse Minter’s offensive staff.
Given his fast rise and inexperience in play-calling, Doyle’s plan for the Ravens offense will be one thing to keep a keen eye on this offseason.
Doyle, 29, is currently the same age as Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
"That trust is going to be earned through time," Doyle said of his relationship with Jackson. "It's not like I can call up Lamar and say, 'Hey, I need you to trust me.' We'll earn that over time, and it's really going to be a two-way street. He's got to earn my trust [and] I have to earn his trust, and that goes for every player that we have.
"It's a huge piece of what we envision here. Trust is built off communication and accountability to that communication. Accountability is us saying something and doing what we say."
Jackson is coming off a disappointing campaign, passing for 2,549 yards and 21 touchdowns with seven interceptions in just 13 games. Now, the star QB will be playing under his fourth OC.
The previous two times the Ravens changed OCs -- Greg Roman in 2019 and Todd Monken in 2023 -- Jackson won the NFL MVP award.
"When you watch the tape, there's not really any throws that he can't make," Doyle said. "He's very arm-talented. I think there's even a higher ceiling to his game. You're looking at a guy that's been the MVP twice. And yet I still think just like all our guys, he still has room to grow.
"It's a surreal opportunity, and yet it's one that I feel very ready to do."