The Baltimore Ravens' quarterback crisis deepened on Sunday when starter Lamar Jackson suffered a thumb injury requiring potentially season-ending surgery on the team's first offensive play, and backup Tyler Huntley left with a toe injury. The Ravens fell 36-10 to the Buffalo Bills, dropping to 4-4 with three consecutive losses.
Immediate Fallout
Third-string rookie Joe Fagnano finished the game, completing 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards and an interception. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Huntley will miss extended time with turf toe. Baltimore now has only one available quarterback on its active roster — Fagnano — with Skylar Thompson on injured reserve. The Ravens face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night.
Trade Candidates Emerge
Rapoport indicated the Ravens are expected to explore quarterback trades. Two prominent names mentioned are Chicago Bears backup Tyson Bagent and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who was benched Sunday in favor of Gardner Minshew.
Bagent, 26, spent last season with Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle in Chicago. He has completed 65.6% of his passes for 409 yards with zero touchdowns and three interceptions in three games this year. The Bears value Bagent and signed him to a multi-year extension, making a trade potentially costly.
Brissett, 31, has started for Arizona this season, posting a 63.3% completion rate, 1,719 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His benching suggests the Cardinals may be open to moving him, especially with rookie Carson Beck on the roster.
Other Options Considered
Additional names include Indianapolis Colts' Anthony Richardson Jr., who requested a trade earlier this year, and New Orleans Saints' Spencer Rattler. Mobile quarterbacks Jalen Milroe (Seattle Seahawks) and Joe Milton (New England Patriots) are also mentioned, along with veteran practice squad option Josh Johnson.
San Francisco 49ers backup Mac Jones has been speculated but appears unlikely, as head coach Kyle Shanahan wants to retain him for a Super Bowl push.
General manager Eric DeCosta must decide how aggressively to pursue a veteran solution while balancing the team's playoff hopes and the development of young players like Fagnano.
