Ravens backup QB Tyler Huntley named to Pro Bowl

Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Tyler Huntley is heading to the Pro Bowl.

Huntley was reportedly the AFC’s fourth alternate for the NFL showcase after voting concluded in December, but after injuries to teammate Lamar Jackson, the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen, the Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa, Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert, as well as an AFC championship for the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes, a spot opened up.

It’s also believed that the NFL’s Pro Bowl voting system, which incentivizes players and coaches to exclude more prominent candidates from their ballots, played a role in Huntley’s surprising rise.

Huntley will join Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence at his first Pro Bowl. The reformatted event will run from Thursday to Sunday in Las Vegas and consist of skills competitions and non-contact flag football games.

Huntley went 2-3 as a starter after replacing Jackson and struggled to lift the Ravens’ offense, throwing just two touchdowns in the regular season. A restricted free agent this offseason, he finished the year with a 41.2 QBR, down from the 55.0 he posted in seven games in 2021.

Huntley had his best performance of the season in the Ravens’ playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, going 17-for-29 for 226 yards and two touchdowns and an interception and rushing nine times for 954 yards. But he fumbled on a quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter, and a would-be go-ahead touchdown turned into a 98-yard scoop-and-score by the Bengals that proved the difference in the 24-17 loss.

Also heading to the Pro Bowl are Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, inside linebacker Roquan Smith, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and kicker Justin Tucker. Wide receiver Devin Duvernay was honored as a returner but was replaced after suffering a season-ending foot injury.

jonas.shaffer@thebaltimorebanner.com