The Ravens may be looking to upgrade their backup quarterback position.
Baltimore is among several teams reportedly interested in signing former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. The 27-year-old veteran is expected to become a free agent after clearing waivers on Monday afternoon.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Ravens and Minnesota Vikings are the leading contenders to land Jones, who is said to want to join a playoff contender. The Ravens, currently 7-4 and second in the AFC North, have a 97.4% chance to make the playoffs and an 18.7% chance to reach the Super Bowl, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. Other teams reportedly interested in Jones include the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Jones was benched by the Giants in favor of third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito before being released on Friday in a “mutually agreed” move to allow him to join another team before the season ends, as confirmed by team owner John Mara. The 2019 first-round pick signed a four-year, $160 million contract in March 2023, but the Giants decided to part ways with him partly to avoid a $23 million injury guarantee if he didn’t pass a physical this upcoming offseason.
Although the Ravens have two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson as their starting quarterback, their backup situation is less secure. The backup is 38-year-old Josh Johnson, a veteran who hasn’t started a game since stepping in for an injured Jackson during a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. Rookie sixth-round pick Devin Leary, who struggled during the preseason, is currently on the practice squad.
Jones could be added to a team’s practice squad, allowing them to sign him without having to release a player from their 53-man roster. For the Ravens, signing Jones could also bring the added benefit of a potential extra draft pick, as he would count toward the compensatory free agent formula this offseason.
While Jones had a rough start to his career after being drafted as the surprising No. 6 overall pick in 2019, he rebounded in 2022 under coach Brian Daboll, leading the Giants to a playoff appearance and a wild-card-round victory over the Vikings. However, after signing a contract extension, he struggled during New York’s 1-5 start to the 2023 season and suffered an ACL tear in his right knee during a Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Giants entered the season with playoff hopes but have fallen to a 2-8 record, tied for the worst in the league. Jones has completed 63.3% of his passes for 2,070 yards, with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions, while rushing for 265 yards and two touchdowns. He ranks 26th in QBR and 28th in expected points added per play. Over his career, Jones holds a 24-44-1 record as a starter, passing for 14,582 yards with 70 touchdowns and 47 interceptions.
