While the Ravens seek a long-term extension with Lamar Jackson, they have secured his backup, Tyler Huntley, to a deal. For the first time in his career, he has signed a multi-year contract, a two-year deal worth $11 million. Despite his prior Pro Bowl history, he will be making nearly as much in one season as he had in his first six seasons combined.
Last season, Tyler Huntley started and won two games for the Ravens while Lamar Jackson battled injuries. He went 52-for-67 passing for 426 yards with 2 touchdowns to 0 interceptions. He also rushed for 151 yards and did not fumble.
Originally signed as a college free agent in 2020 by the Ravens, Tyler Huntley has made a career out of being Lamar Jackson’s backup. And yet Baltimore has been willing to part with him. Last year, he signed with the Browns, signing a Veteran Salary Benefit deal. Cleveland cut him and he briefly returned to Baltimore on the practice squad, who let him go again.
He later finished the season with the Dolphins when they had a need at quarterback. In Miami, Tyler Huntley started five games, the most of his career, going 2-3. In those games, he went 86-for-133 for 829 yards with 3 touchdowns to 3 interception.
In 2022, Huntley ended up in the Pro Bowl with the Ravens after going 2-2 as a starter. That season, he went 75-for-112 for 658 yards with 2 touchdowns to 3 interceptions with 137 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown, fumbling three times. His Pro Bowl bid remains arguably the funniest in NFL history, rivaled by few, like Shedeur Sanders just last season.
With the Ravens trying to sign Lamar Jackson long-term, they are also grappling with the reality of what to do when he is not healthy. Over the past five seasons, he has missed significant time in three years, including last season. In the two games Jackson missed that Huntley did not, Cooper Rush went 0-2 with 4 interceptions.
It was the Jackson-less experience that led the Ravens to prioritize retaining Tyler Huntley, whom they fully appreciate now. Even with a new coaching staff and an all-new system, they know that his game is stylistically similar to Jackson. At the very least, they will tailor their offense around the abilities of their quarterbacks.
And that means finally paying Tyler Huntley like an actual backup. The biggest contract he ever signed before this offseason was as a restricted free agent in 2023 at $2,627,00. Now he will earn an average of $5.5 million over the next two seasons, and the Ravens can breath easier.
In his career, Huntley is 5-6 as a starter for the Ravens, including a 1-3 record back in 2021. He is 4-3 since then with Baltimore, though he also lost a playoff game in 2022. But that’s why he’s making $5.5 million per year and now $10 million.
Recommended for you