The rise of new offensive line coach Declan Doyle with the Baltimore Ravens has been devastating. The 29-year-old became the youngest player in the NFL this season, after just seven seasons as an NFL assistant coach.
Doyle said on Baltimore’s “The Lounge” podcast that he sees his age as an advantage that allows him to connect with the players.
“I see it as an option,” Doyle said via the team’s official website. “Because I’ve grown up in the same world as some of these guys, I can relate to them maybe a little bit easier than it might be for someone who’s 20 years older than a player. I’ve never seen it as a setback. It’s really something that I’ve found that’s been good for 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 our goals, they’re willing to listen and they’re open to it.”
Doyle has been on an epic freeway. His first job out of college was as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints in 2019 under Sean Payton. In 2023, he rejoined Payton with the Denver Broncos as tight ends coach, a gig he held for two seasons. Then Ben Johnson took Doyle off Payton’s staff to be his OC. With Johnson calling plays in Chicago, the Ravens were able to offer an upgrade and hire the rookie to be the centerpiece of Jesse Minter’s offensive line.
Given his rapid rise and play-calling inexperience, Doyle’s scheme for the Ravens’ offense will be one to watch closely this offseason.
Doyle, 29, is currently the same age as Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“That trust is going to be earned over time,” Doyle said of his relationship with Jackson. “It’s not like I can call Lamar and say, ‘Hey, I need to trust myself.’ We will earn it over time and it really will be a two-way street. He has to earn my trust [and] I have to earn his trust and that goes for all the players we have.
“This is a big part of what we envision here. Trust is based on communication and responsibility towards that communication. Responsibility is that we say something and do what we say.”
Jackson is coming off a disappointing campaign, passing for 2,549 yards and 21 TDs with 7 INTs in just 13 games. Now the star QB will be playing under his fourth OC.
The two previous times the Ravens traded OCs — Greg Roman in 2019 and Todd Monken in 2023 — Jackson won the NFL MVP award.
“When you watch the tape, there’s really no throws he can’t make,” Doyle said. “He’s very talented. I think there’s even a higher ceiling to his game. You’re looking at a guy who’s been MVP twice. And yet, I think, like all of 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.”