(Updated: Tuesday, 6:15 p.m.)
Eyeing a replacement for former backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor, the Ravens have found their man in 12th-year veteran Matt Schaub.
On Tuesday afternoon, the sides agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million. The contract includes $2 million in base pay and another $1 million that can be earned in incentives, according to Pro Football Talk.
The 33-year-old visited with the Ravens after head coach John Harbaugh said last week that they would like to upgrade the backup spot behind starter Joe Flacco. Schaub provides the most experienced backup the organization has had since Marc Bulger in 2010.
The New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons had also shown interest in Schaub and his decision was expected to come this week. The 2004 third-round pick out of the University of Virginia began his career in Atlanta.
After spending seven years in Houston with Gary Kubiak, Schaub is familiar with the Ravens’ current version of the West Coast offense that will be overseen by new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman.
Schaub is coming off his lone season in Oakland in which he was beaten out by rookie Derek Carr and released earlier this month. Appearing in 11 games, Schaub attempted only 10 passes, completing five for 57 yards and throwing two interceptions. In his final year with the Texans in 2013, Schaub posted a 73.0 passer rating and threw 14 interceptions before he was benched.
The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback has a career 89.5 passer rating with 130 touchdown passes, but his struggles and elbow issues over the last couple seasons make you wonder how much he has left in tank as even a backup option.
Cost was considered a big question with Schaub as the organization hadn’t invested much in its backup quarterback position in recent years. The Ravens had just over $8 million in salary cap space, but they also invested a sixth-round pick in quarterback Keith Wenning last season before he spent the entire year on the practice squad.
After serving as Flacco’s backup for the last four years, Taylor signed a three-year, $3.35 million deal with the Buffalo Bills earlier this month.
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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