Every Ravens starting quarterback ever: Full list
By Mike Luciano
The Baltimore Ravens have historically been a team that has had more success on the defensive side of the ball. Moments of quarterback excellence haven't been as frequent as other competitive franchises across the AFC.
However, when the Ravens have been able to get either competent game-management or high-end peak performance, they have often found themselves ranked among the best in the game. Twice, they have ended the season with the ultimate prize of a Super Bowl secured.
Even with two quarterbacks starting nearly every game for Baltimore over the last 15 years, an astonishing 23 different players have started at least one game for the Ravens in their 28-year history.
Every Ravens starting quarterback ever:
Joe Flacco: 163 starts
Flacco's name is all over the record books, as he has the statistical prowess to go alongside his legendary play in the postseason. Flacco is still in the NFL despite his age, which is a testament to his ability to carve up defenses with one of the strongest arms (in his prime) the league has seen in 20 years.
Lamar Jackson: 77 starts
Jackson accomplishing all he has in just 77 starts is shocking, as he has piled up the MVPs and postseason appearances in his short stint with the Ravens. If Baltimore keeps its winning ways up, there is a very likely chance Jackson will end up overtaking Flacco high atop the Ravens' passing leaderboard.
Kyle Boller: 42 starts
Any way you slice it, Boller is a top-five quarterback in Ravens history. Which is a depressing thought. While Boller had a bazooka of an arm and never had amazing pass-catchers as a whole during his time with the Ravens, his inability to deliver the ball accurately made the mid-2000s a frustrating time for fans offensively.
Vinny Testaverde: 29 starts
Testaverde was the first starting quarterback in Ravens history, and he even made a Pro Bowl after throwing 33 touchdowns during his first season in Baltimore. The Ravens decided he was getting too long in the tooth after two seasons and cut bait, after which he led the Jets to an AFC Championship game appearance.
Steve McNair: 22 starts
McNair may have passed away in 2009, but his 13-3 season with the Ravens in 2006 will never be forgotten. While his time in Baltimore was short, and he benefitted from a great defense, McNair was so effective fans could only imagine what would have happened if he had come to town sooner.
Tony Banks: 18 starts
Banks was looking for a second chance after the former Rams second-round pick failed to become a household name in St. Louis. After a promising first season, Banks was so ineffective in 2000 that he couldn't even win with the greatest defense in league history. This prompted the Trent Dilfer switch.
Elvis Grbac: 14 starts
Grbac was signed to be an upgrade over Dilfer, but the Pro Bowl quarterback from Kansas City didn't seem to make the journey. Grbac threw 18 interceptions in 14 regular season
Jim Harbaugh: 12 starts
John may have the Super Bowl, but Jim did it first. Between his brief stint at the end of his career and his desire to sign many former Baltimore players in free agency, Jim's name remains connected to the franchise.
Jeff Blake: 10 starts
Blake is yet another veteran stopgap quarterback who was unable to get Baltimore's passing game to the next level. Blake couldn't get the Ravens to the playoffs, which prompted the Boller selection.
Every Ravens starting quarterback with fewer than 10 starts:
Quarterback | Games Started | Years |
---|---|---|
Tyler Huntley | 9 | 2020-2023 |
Trent Dilfer | 8 | 2000 |
Eric Zeier | 7 | 1996-1998 |
Chris Redman | 6 | 2000-2003 |
Stoney Case | 4 | 1999 |
Randall Cunningham | 2 | 2001 |
Troy Smith | 2 | 2007-2009 |
Matt Schaub | 2 | 2015 |
Jimmy Clausen | 2 | 2015 |
Ryan Mallett | 2 | 2015-2017 |
Robert Griffin III | 2 | 2018-2020 |
Josh Johnson | 1 | 2021 |
Anthony Brown | 1 | 2022 |
Dilfer is clearly the most memorable name in this motley crew, as his lone season in Baltimore ended with him game-managing his way to a Super Bowl. Other noteworthy names on this list include longtime backup Tyler Huntley and a failed mid-round prospect in Eric Zeier.