Lamar Jackson is the Ravens quarterback which is drawing the most attention as the new league year officially begins, but he is not the only Baltimore quarterback facing an uncertain future. Backup Tyler Huntley is receiving the low (right of first refusal) restricted free agent tender, as noted (on Twitter) by Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. 
Doing so will lock him into a 2023 salary of $2.63MM, presuming he signs the tender. From now until April 21, however, the 25-year-old will be able to receive offer sheets from other teams. Signing one of them would give the Ravens seven days to match, which could force them to keep him at a more cumbersome cap number. Since Huntley was a UDFA, however, Baltimore would receive no compensation if he were to depart.
The Ravens could have used the second-round tender, valued at just over $4.3MM. That would have required a larger financial commitment, of course, but provided less of an incentive to interested teams to prepare on offer sheet. It also would have guaranteed compensation had the Utah alum elected to leave in search of a different opportunity. The likeliest outcome in this situation still remains, however, Huntley remaining with the Ravens for at least one more season.
Huntley has seen action in 13 regular season games over the past two years, filling in for Jackson following the latter’s in injuries. His play in 2021 earned him the low tender this past offseason, allowing him to remain in place in the N0. 2 role. His most notable action to date was his start in the Ravens’ wild card loss to the Bengals, in which he threw for 226 yards and a pair of touchdowns and added 54 yards on the ground.
Turnovers in that contest, and generally underwhelming play in the 2022 regular season in particular, are likely to hinder the market for Huntley (though they, coupled with a multitude of other absences, allowed him to be named a Pro Bowler) and represent the ceiling of his potential. Still, his future is currently in the balance, as is that of Jackson, who is now eligible to negotiate with other teams on a new contract.
Amidst their uncertainty under center, the Ravens have been “involved” in the free agent quarterback market, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (Twitter link). Specifically, he names Baker Mayfield and Jacoby Brissett as veterans Baltimore has inquired about. They have since agreed to deals with the Buccaneers and Commanders, respectively, but other cost-effective options still remain if the team is forced to replace Jackson. Regardless of what happens at the top of the depth chart, the Ravens should still have Huntley available as a depth and spot-starter option.
He’s worth more than that. He’d probably be the least paid backup. He’s not great, but 2.63 million?
Baltimore is starting to look like a team that will be left without a chair when the music stops – as even if no one makes a competing claim there is no guarantee that Jackson will sign his franchise tender given that he has already turned down at least one big money deal (3 yrs/$133 million fully guaranteed).
He’s a pro bowler! How disrespectful
The Ravens are sending quite the “I love you” message to their qb room. Sheesh. If either of the two qbs sign their contracts, it’ll amaze me if they give their heart/soul to the team. First sprained pinkie and they’ll head to the IR.
Huntley is bad. I can’t see anyone giving him an offer that Baltimore couldn’t match if they wanted to. There are several better options available.
I’d rather have Huntley at 2.6 mil for one year than Lamar at 250 mil for five years. If the resources are used elsewhere, all the Ravens would need is for Huntley to throw no more than 15-20 times a game. He MIGHT be able to do that.
Maybe Indy takes take Lamar (aka InstaQB) and bails out the Ravens, and Richardson falls to #4. Short of that, there’s still a path to the playoffs by playing elite defense, just like the Niners did.
You don’t win in the NFL without being able to throw the ball. Jackson may not be the best thrower but give him some weapons like he had in 2019 when he led the league in TD’S.