After years of wanting to do better at the backup quarterback position, the Ravens weren’t going to take Tyler Huntley for granted this time around.
While the blockbuster trade for five-time edge rusher Maxx Crosby obviously dominated the headlines and conversation over the weekend, Baltimore re-signed Lamar Jackson’s understudy and close friend to a two-year deal. Huntley’s new contract will be for $5 million with incentives that could take his compensation as high as $11 million over the two seasons, according to The Athletic.
Despite signing Cooper Rush to a two-year, $6.25 million last March, the Ravens brought Huntley back to the organization at the end of last summer and eventually turned to the 28-year-old as the superior backup option after Rush played poorly in two starts in place of an injured Jackson in early October. Not only did Huntley help Baltimore to a Week 8 win over Chicago, but he played very well in a Week 17 victory in Green Bay that kept the Ravens’ playoff hopes alive as Jackson was sidelined with a back contusion.
In five games (two starts) last season, Huntley completed 52 of 67 passes for 426 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 151 yards. He also posted an impressive 103.1 passer rating.
With Huntley having appeared in 25 games and made 11 starts in his stints with Baltimore dating back to 2020, the Ravens know what they’re getting. Like with most backups, Huntley’s limitations are exposed the longer he plays, but his skill set fits well in the offenses the Ravens have run with Jackson over the years, which makes for a relatively seamless transition from one quarterback to the other.
As is the case every year, the Ravens hope Huntley will only see the field in the closing minutes of a few blowout wins. But after a season in which Jackson missed four games and sizable parts of two others due to injuries, Baltimore will be happy to have Huntley, especially at such a reasonable price.
Especially now with Huntley back in the fold, the Ravens appear are all but certain to release the 32-year-old Rush, who’s scheduled to make $2.1 million in 2026. That would clear $453,000 in salary cap space.
