Ravens backup QB battle: Fagnano impresses, but Huntley has the history
Every August produces a camp darling, and in Baltimore this summer it is a young quarterback making the most of limited opportunities. But The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec threw cold water on the growing consensus Saturday night, reminding Rave…
Every August produces a camp darling, and in Baltimore this summer it is a young quarterback making the most of limited opportunities. But The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec threw cold water on the growing consensus Saturday night, reminding Ravens fans that the man being discounted has actual NFL wins on his resume.
Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec): Fagnano has been impressive particularly considering he gets so few reps in practice. Don’t want to diminish that. But let’s not forget we’ve seen Huntley win big regular season games for this team. Can’t discount his relationship with 8 either.
Zrebiec's point was twofold. Yes, the rookie has been impressive, particularly given how few practice reps he gets behind Baltimore's established depth chart. But Tyler Huntley has won big regular-season games for this team before, and his long-running relationship with Lamar Jackson — the famous chemistry that made him a Pro Bowl fill-in once already — is not a minor variable in a backup competition.
The context matters with cutdowns a week away. Backup quarterback in Baltimore is not a throwaway job; Jackson's injury history means the No. 2 will start games that count most likely. A flashy preseason arm is tempting, but a coordinator handing the offense to someone who has never taken a regular-season snap behind an MVP is a different calculation than a fan-favorite race.