Who is the Ravens backup QB? Why Baltimore signed Josh Johnson, brought back Tyler Huntley

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Josh Johnson 08302024
(Mitch Stringer, USA Today)

The Ravens enter the 2024 NFL season with Super Bowl aspirations yet again.

Baltimore came up one win short of returning to the promised land last year, falling to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.

Star quarterback Lamar Jackson put together his second MVP season, throwing for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 821 yards and five touchdowns. Even though the dual-threat quarterback has gotten better at protecting his body on the run, it is still vitally important for the Ravens to have a strong insurance policy behind their franchise cornerstone.

For years, Tyler "Snoop" Huntley was a reliable backup to Jackson, but Baltimore originally let him walk in free agency. Huntley ended up returning to the Ravens after being cut by the Browns, but there's a new backup quarterback in town, at least early in the season.

Take a look at the Ravens quarterback depth chart below.

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Ravens QB depth chart

Role Player
Starter Lamar Jackson
Backup Josh Johnson
Third-string Tyler Huntley

1. Lamar Jackson

There isn't much explanation needed here.

Jackson is a two-time MVP and one of the most prolific playmakers in the NFL. He is Baltimore's franchise quarterback and undeniably a top-five signal-caller in the league.

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2. Josh Johnson

Johnson returns to Baltimore where he served as a third-string quarterback to Jackson and Huntley in 2021.

The 37-year-old is a veteran journeyman who has made his rounds in the NFL. Johnson has played for the Buccaneers, Browns, Bengals, Redskins, Jets and 49ers in addition to his second stint with the Ravens.

He did not play in the NFL last season but has been brought in as a familiar backup to Jackson, at least to start the season.

Johnson has never thrown for over 1,000 yards in a single season, he has more career interceptions (16) than touchdowns (13) and has only started nine games in nine seasons.

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3. Tyler 'Snoop' Huntley

The Ravens let Huntley walk in free agency, but he returns to Baltimore after being cut by its AFC North division rival Browns.

Huntley has been a reliable backup to Jackson over the last four seasons as a quarterback with a similar dual-threat play style.

Huntley has 1,957 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions over 20 games played. He also has 509 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

It's possible Huntley overtakes Johnson on the depth chart at some point this season, but he figures to start the season as the emergency QB.

Author(s)
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Kyle Irving is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.
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