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The Baltimore Ravens are urged to make a key QB decision in free agency to help Lamar Jackson.
Whoever replaces John Harbaugh as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens will pin his hopes for success on the arm and legs of Lamar Jackson, but the new man in charge will still have a key decision to make about the quarterback room, one that will help the two-time NFL MVP.
That decision involves the future of Jackson’s primary backup, Pro Bowl passer Tyler Huntley. He’s somebody the Ravens can’t let hit 2026 NFL free agency, according to Nick Shook of the league’s official site.
Shook believes the Ravens must change a familiar and tired narrative regarding their on-again, off-again QB2. As Shook put it, “Oh, look: We could be headed toward yet another offseason in which the Ravens let Huntley walk to a seemingly better opportunity, keep tabs on him as he misses the cut in Cleveland’s quarterback battle royale (as he has in each of the last two summers), then add him to their practice squad before ultimately elevating him to the starting lineup when Lamar Jackson is sidelined by injury.”z
While Shook acknowledges the Ravens would like it best if “Jackson never leaves the field,” he also pointed out how “recent history has proven Huntley to be a valuable backup for the Ravens — more valuable, in fact, than their strange experiment with obvious poor fit Cooper Rush — so why not save us all the time and paperwork and just keep Huntley in house this offseason?”
It’s a strong argument about a veteran the Ravens have come to rely on at a sneaky important spot on the roster. Huntley has value as a proven stand-in for Jackson, whose own contract situation is likely to dominate most of the offseason in Baltimore.
Ravens Still Need Tyler Huntley
The case for re-signing Huntley is easily made. Especially when the 27-year-old has the confidence of his teammates after demonstrating the winning touch when called upon.
Huntley led impressive victories over the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, two playoff teams, this season. Those wins vindicated the decision to take Huntley back onto the practice squad after a spell with AFC North rivals the Cleveland Browns.
Keeping Huntley would mean maintaining stability behind Jackson for what is set to be a career-defining year for the face of the franchise.
Lamar Jackson Contract Decision Looms
Sorting out Jackson’s deal won’t be a straightforward process, but it’s something sure to define the next era of the Ravens. An era set to commence without Harbaugh for the first time in 18 years.
That will mean big changes for Jackson, who appeared to bristle working alongside Harbaugh favorite, offensive coordinator Todd Monken, this season. Monken is tipped to follow his old boss to the New York Giants, so Jackson is in store for a fresh start in terms of scheme.
Something new will increase the pressure on the 28-year-old to produce like a marquee signal-caller capable of finally delivering a Super Bowl trophy. The so far fruitless quest for a championship makes Jackson’s next payday tougher to quantify.
A deal in the region of $287 million across five years makes sense, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. It would represent a three-year extension to Jackson’s current terms, but the money would also underscore the need for No. 8 to bring home a title or two.
He can start by staying healthy, but if not, the Ravens and their next head coach would be grateful to still have Huntley on the depth chart.
James Dudko covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL and world soccer since 2011, with bylines at FanSided, Prime Time Sports Talk and Bleacher Report before joining Heavy in 2021. More about James Dudko
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