The Baltimore Ravens‘ quarterback room is as good as any with Lamar Jackson firmly at the helm. Backing up Jackson is veteran QB Josh Johnson, who is expected to start for the Ravens in the preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, with Jackson sidelined due to illness. Harbaugh has clarified that Jackson’s absence is no cause for concern.
Rookie Devin Leary is also competing for a spot on the roster. During the preseason, he will get his shot at impressing the coaches. With competition heating up ahead of the 2024 NFL season, let’s look at Baltimore’s quarterback depth chart.
Who Are the Baltimore Ravens Quarterbacks?
Harbaugh has his Super Bowl hopes pinned on Jackson with seasoned veteran Johnson providing a steady presence in the QB room. Johnson’s experience is invaluable, especially in guiding the younger quarterbacks on the roster. Among these rising talents are sixth-round rookie Leary and undrafted rookie Emory Jones.
Lamar Jackson
The two-time NFL MVP has been the face of the franchise for a while now. The 27-year-old Florida native continues to impress with his dual-threat capabilities. His running ability needs no introduction, and when coupled with efficient passing, Jackson is a menace for opponents on the gridiron.
He has racked up over 1,000 rushing yards in the previous two seasons. The Ravens quarterback boasts a career completion rate of 64%. Last season, he recorded 3,678 passing yards with 24 touchdowns to his name.
Jackson remains the heart and soul of Baltimore’s offense. Harbaugh shared the high expectations from his QB1, saying:
“The vision that we have together is that Lamar Jackson is going to become and be known and be recognized as the greatest quarterback ever to play in the history of the National Football League”
Josh Johnson
The 38-year-old journeyman quarterback is set to be in the spotlight as the Ravens kick off their preseason against the Eagles. With Jackson sitting out, Johnson, who holds a 1-8 record as a starter, will get a chance to prove his worth as the Ravens’ No. 2 quarterback.
Re-signed on a one-year deal, Johnson’s NFL journey is nothing short of extraordinary, having played for 14 different teams across four professional football leagues. With 2,280 passing yards and 13 touchdowns in his career, Johnson’s performance in the preseason will be important if he wants to hold on to the QB2 spot.
Devin Leary
A sixth-round pick by the Ravens in the 2024 NFL Draft in April, Leary is a promising rookie quarterback who could become a key backup to Jackson if Johnson isn’t up to the mark.
Leary, who played five seasons at NC State and one at Kentucky joined the Ravens after throwing for 2,746 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with the Wildcats. His best season stats were from 2021 with the Wolfpack — 3,433 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Ravens QB coach Tee Martin praised Leary for his arm talent, intelligence, and competitiveness, noticing that the 24-year-old New Jersey man quickly picked up the offense.
Emory Jones
The undrafted rookie QB — measuring in at 6’2″ and 210 pounds — earned a training camp opportunity. Like Jackson, Jones possesses dual-threat abilities, which he used last season at Cincinnati, recording 2,219 passing yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 560 rushing yards.
Before Cincinnati, Jones played at Arizona State and Florida. Though not drafted initially, Jones impressed during the Big 12 Pro Day, earning him a spot on the Ravens’ 53-man roster.
