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For the first time since 2009, the Baltimore Ravens might carry three quarterbacks into the regular season. There is incumbent veteran starter Joe Flacco, his successor in first round pick Lamar Jackson, and former NFL Offensive Rookie Of The Year Robert Griffin III. Flacco and Jackson are obviously going to be on the active roster Week 1 barring injury, it’s Griffin who will have to convince the Ravens they should carry three quarterbacks.
The Ravens signed Griffin to a one-year contract back in April. Griffin is going to be fighting with Josh Woodrum to secure a spot on the roster, but Griffin’s play in training camp and the preseason will likely hedge on Jackson’s development. If the Ravens feel comfortable enough with the rookie as the only other quarterback after Flacco, then Griffin is a goner, even if he produces. However, the Ravens could trade Griffin if he plays well and acquire something in return for him.
It would take a lot for a team to trade for a player like Griffin who didn’t play at all in 2017 and has missed a number of games over the course of his six-year career. Nevertheless, injuries to other team’s quarterbacks always change a roster once training camp hits. Baltimore could find themselves in a good situation with Jackson and Griffin having solid preseasons. The New York Jets are in a similar situation with Teddy Bridgewater, as he backs-up starter Josh McCown, and a rookie New York believes is a star in the making, Sam Darnold.
Now if Flacco or Jackson go down with injuries before the regular season, then Griffin would be a virtual lock to make the roster being the veteran quarterback with experience. Ideally, Baltimore could secure a Day 3 draft pick for Griffin from a team gambling on him to either be a backup or even a starting quarterback once again.
Either way, it’s an interesting scenario to monitor if the Ravens like what they see from both Griffin and Jackson this summer. They wouldn’t have to carry three quarterbacks and could receive something in return for a veteran player that was a low risk signing to begin with.