Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyler Huntley signed a two-year extension with the Baltimore Ravens.
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Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyler Huntley signed a two-year extension with the Baltimore Ravens.
Tyler Huntley won’t be returning to Cleveland for a third straight training camp.
The veteran quarterback agreed to a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus. The deal is worth up to $11 million, with a base value of $5 million.
Huntley, 28, will continue serving as Lamar Jackson’s primary backup in Baltimore — a role he’s thrived in throughout his career.
The deal comes after Huntley played a pivotal role in keeping Baltimore’s season alive. After being cut by the Browns in August, Huntley landed on the Ravens’ practice squad and eventually worked his way back onto the active roster when Cooper Rush struggled in relief of an injured Jackson.
Huntley went 2-0 as a starter, including wins over the Chicago Bears in Week 8 and a crucial Week 17 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. He completed 52 of 67 attempts (77.6%) for 426 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception.
Huntley Developed a Bond With Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland
While Huntley never cracked a regular-season roster with the Browns, he made an impact in Cleveland. He developed a close bond with rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders during training camp, serving as a mentor to the fifth-round pick.
“I would say I’m thankful that Huntley here,” Sanders said during the preseason. “He gave me a perspective of quarterback that I feel like I needed … I feel like God’s sent him here for a reason, honestly, just to talk and to be like a mentor towards me and his career, also.”
Sanders added that Huntley helped him understand the backup role and encouraged him to stay ready at all times.
“He always told me to be ready, and anytime I talked to him, he’s always positive,” Sanders said. “People with the same vibe usually get along with each other.”
That relationship carried into the regular season. After Huntley led the Ravens to a win over the Packers in Week 17, he told reporters he planned to call Sanders before the Browns’ pivotal matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers the following day.
“I’m trying to make it out of here so I can call Shedeur real quick,” Huntley said. “Make sure he can get it done.”
Sanders and the Browns delivered, upsetting the Steelers 13-6 to keep Baltimore’s playoff hopes alive.
Browns Expected to Add to QB Room for ‘Open Competition’
The Browns are expected to explore all avenues to build out their quarterback room under new head coach Todd Monken. Huntley could have been a potential veteran option, considering Monken was previously the offensive coordinator for the Ravens.
Cleveland currently has Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel under contract. Monken made it clear at the combine that no one has a lock on the starting job.
“I think it’s an open competition,” Monken said. “I don’t mean that saying it harshly, but I don’t think there’s enough on film over the last couple years one way or the other to say, boy, we have our starter at quarterback yet. Whether internally or externally.”
Monken praised Sanders’ potential while acknowledging his room for growth after a rookie season in which he passed for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in seven starts.
“I think what you see is elite playmaking ability. That’s in him,” Monken said. “Sure, there’s a ways to go, but what rookie isn’t?”
Watson, who hasn’t played since Week 7 of the 2024 season, is also expected to get an opportunity to compete for the job under Monken.
“Any time you have a player who at one time played at an elite level, you give them the benefit of the doubt to see if they can get that back,” Monken said. “So he’ll get a chance.”
The Browns are expected to add at least one more quarterback this offseason, whether through free agency or the draft. Cleveland holds the No. 6 and No. 24 picks in the first round and has been linked to multiple names through free agency and via trade. Monken said he’d ideally like to name a starter before training camp so the chosen quarterback can get the bulk of first-team reps.