Look, everyone knows who the guy is in Baltimore. It’s Lamar Jackson. He’s the engine, the identity, and the reason opposing defensive coordinators don't sleep well on Saturday nights. But if you’ve followed this team for more than five minutes, you know that the Baltimore Ravens quarterback depth chart is often a wild ride that matters a lot more in December than it does in August.
Hamstrings happen. Ankles roll. In the brutal world of the AFC North, the guy standing behind Lamar is usually one play away from being the most important person in Maryland.
Heading into the 2026 offseason, the situation is actually kinda fascinating. We’ve seen a revolving door of veterans and "Snoop" sightings that have kept the Ravens afloat during some rocky stretches. Right now, the hierarchy is shifting as the front office balances a massive salary cap puzzle with the need for a reliable insurance policy.
The current Baltimore Ravens quarterback depth chart: Who’s actually in the room?
If you were to walk into the Under Armour Performance Center today, the pecking order is pretty clear-cut, though the names might surprise anyone who stopped paying attention after 2024.
The Starter: Lamar Jackson
He’s the three-time First-Team All-Pro. He’s under contract through 2027, though the money is getting... complicated. More on that in a second. Lamar is still the undisputed QB1.
The Primary Backup: Tyler "Snoop" Huntley
He’s back. After a brief and frankly weird stint with the Miami Dolphins and a cup of coffee in Cleveland, Huntley returned to Baltimore in late 2025. Honestly, it just makes sense. He knows Todd Monken’s system, he has the trust of the locker room, and he can run the "Lamar-lite" offense better than anyone else on the street. He officially took over the QB2 spot mid-way through the last campaign when things got shaky.
The Veteran Insurance: Cooper Rush
The Ravens signed Rush in March 2025 to be the steady hand. He’s 32 now and brings that "I’ve seen it all" vibe. While he doesn't have the mobility the Ravens usually crave, he’s basically a human computer who can manage a game if the sky starts falling.
The Developmental Project: Vacant / Futures Contracts
Devin Leary, the 2024 sixth-rounder, didn't quite stick. He was cut in late August 2025 after some struggles in the preseason. Currently, the Ravens are looking at the 2026 Draft and the "reserve/future" market to fill out that third slot.
The Lamar Jackson contract problem
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Lamar’s cap hit for 2026 is projected to be a staggering $74.5 million. That’s roughly 24% of the entire team’s budget.
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General Manager Eric DeCosta has been pretty vocal about wanting an extension. Not because they’re unsure about Lamar, but because they literally need the breathing room to sign other people. If they don't get a deal done soon, the Ravens might have to start cutting corners on the defense or the offensive line, which makes the health of the quarterback even more precarious.
Why the backup spot is a constant headache
The Ravens have a "type." They usually want a guy who can run the same RPO-heavy, vertical-threat offense that Lamar thrives in. That’s why Tyler Huntley keeps coming back like a boomerang.
But there’s a catch.
When you have a mobile quarterback, your backup needs to be able to take hits too. Josh Johnson, who was the ultimate journeyman in Baltimore for years, is 39 and currently signed with the Commanders. The Ravens moved on because they needed someone younger who could actually survive a three-game stretch of getting hit by T.J. Watt or Myles Garrett.
Rush was a departure from that philosophy. He’s a pocket passer. When he was in the game during the 2025 season, the offense looked... different. Less explosive, more methodical. It didn't quite feel like "Ravens football," which is likely why they moved so quickly to bring Huntley back onto the active 53-man roster in October.
Surprising facts about the Ravens QB room
- The Huntley Era: Despite being a backup, Tyler Huntley has actually started 16 games in his career. That’s more than some bridge starters in this league.
- Cap Gymnastics: If Lamar doesn’t sign an extension by March 2026, the Ravens might have to use "void years" just to afford their rookie class.
- The Leary Experiment: Many fans thought Devin Leary was the heir apparent to the backup role, but his 56% completion rate in his final college year at Kentucky followed him to the pros. Accuracy is the one thing Harbaugh won't compromise on.
What to expect for the 2026 season
The Baltimore Ravens quarterback depth chart is going to look a little different by the time training camp rolls around. Here is the realistic outlook for the next few months:
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- A Lamar Extension: Expect a deal. Steve Bisciotti (the owner) hates drama. He wants to "open the window" for another Super Bowl run, and that starts with lowering that $74 million cap hit.
- A Mid-Round Draft Pick: Don't be shocked if the Ravens take a flyer on a QB in the 4th or 5th round of the 2026 Draft. They need a cheap, young developmental piece they can control for four years.
- The Huntley/Rush Battle: Huntley has the edge because of his legs, but Rush is the better pure passer. This will be the most watched camp battle in Owings Mills.
The Ravens are in a "win-now" mode. They have Derrick Henry in the backfield and a defense that’s consistently top-five. They can’t afford to let the QB2 spot be an afterthought.
If you're looking to track the movement this offseason, keep a close eye on the waiver wire right after the draft. That’s usually when the Ravens make their move for a "camp arm" that occasionally turns into a regular-season contributor. For now, it’s Lamar’s world, and Huntley is just living in it—ready to jump in the moment he’s called.
Your Next Steps:
- Check the official NFL transactions page around March 11 (the start of the new league year) to see if the Ravens pull the trigger on a Lamar extension.
- Watch the 2026 NFL Combine footage for quarterbacks with high "rushing upside"; these are the players most likely to end up on the Ravens' radar as a developmental QB3.
- Monitor Tyler Huntley’s status—if a team with an injury offers him a starting gig, the Ravens' depth chart will be thrown into an immediate tailspin.