By season’s end of 2020, it was clear the Ravens and Robert Griffin III were to part ways. Griffin had been an excellent mentor for franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson, but his cap hit and struggles when called into games had spelled the end. This hole on the roster provides an opportunity for two young players to step up and claim the backup quarterback role for the team.
Trace McSorley
In 2019, the Ravens picked QB McSorley in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. Since then, he’s played in three games for Baltimore. His big-time moment was a 70-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Brown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Unfortunately, that was one of only three completions McSorley has thrown in 10 attempts. To make matters worse, McSorley is coming off a knee-sprain which led to the Ravens placing him on injured reserve. The knee injury was said to consider McSorley “week-to-week,” but the Ravens placed him on IR to activate Dez Bryant to the active roster.
Tyler Huntley
With McSorley out due to injury, an opportunity arose for Huntley to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars amid a blowout victory for the Ravens. In that time, Huntley strung together some solid plays with his feet. He also saw play after Lamar Jackson suffered a concussion against the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the 2020 playoffs.
Both players fit the mold of Greg Roman’s offense. They also fit the mold of filling in for Lamar Jackson as best they can. Furthermore, their contracts are rather similar, with cap savings for both hovering around $800k, though cutting McSorley saves a bit more.
McSorley and Huntley are mobile quarterbacks who can also deliver the ball downfield, meaning this will be a must-watch camp battle for the season to come.