Ravens face quarterback crisis with Slovis as potential starter against Jaguars

The Baltimore Ravens are grappling with a significant quarterback crisis just days before their Week 9 showdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars. With Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley both sidelined due to injuries, the Ravens are left with limited options as they prepare for a crucial Thursday night game. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the fact that they have less than 48 hours to finalize their starting quarterback.

One potential candidate to take the helm is Kedon Slovis, who was added to the Ravens' roster on Tuesday after being signed off the Green Bay Packers' practice squad. This move illustrates the desperation of the Ravens at the quarterback position, as Slovis has yet to start a game in his NFL career. If he is called upon to start, he will do so with only two practices under his belt in Baltimore, raising questions about his readiness to lead the offense.

The Ravens' decision to bring in Slovis may stem from his previous connection with the coaching staff. Israel Woolfork, the Ravens' quarterback coach, worked with Slovis during his time in Arizona last season, which could facilitate a smoother transition for the young quarterback. However, Slovis' inexperience—having thrown just two passes in his career during mop-up duty for the Cardinals—adds to the uncertainty surrounding the team's quarterback situation.

In addition to Slovis, the Ravens also evaluated Adrian Martinez, the 2024 UFL MVP, who has had brief stints with both the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets. Martinez has only played in one NFL game, which further emphasizes the Ravens' struggle to find a reliable quarterback. As of now, he has not been signed, leaving the team with Slovis and potentially undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano as their primary options.

Assessing quarterback options amid injuries

Fagnano, who played the majority of the game against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, is also dealing with an ankle injury. He had a challenging outing, completing just 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards and an interception, all while taking zero first-team snaps leading up to the game. Ravens' head coach Jesse Minter has indicated that Fagnano is fighting through his injury and may still have a chance to play on Thursday.

If Fagnano is unable to go, the Ravens will have to rely on either Slovis or Austin Reed, who was signed to the practice squad on Monday. Reed has some familiarity with the Ravens' offense, having participated in training camp and the preseason before being released in late August. However, like Slovis, Reed has never thrown a pass in a regular-season game, which raises further concerns about the team's depth at the quarterback position.

After Further Review

The Ravens' predicament is a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL. Just a week ago, they were looking to build on their season, but after a disappointing 36-10 loss to the Bills, they now face a critical moment that could define their campaign. The team had considered trading for backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, but with the Bears playing on Monday night, that option was not viable. Instead, they have settled on Slovis and Reed as they scramble to find a solution.

As the Ravens prepare for their matchup against the Jaguars, they are left with a trio of undrafted quarterbacks who have combined for just three career NFL games. The situation is precarious, and the outcome of this game could have significant implications for the Ravens' season moving forward. With the clock ticking down to kickoff, the Ravens must make a decision that could either salvage their season or plunge them deeper into uncertainty.