If all you ever knew or saw of Josh Johnson came on Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons, you’d believe the Ravens quarterback room is in outstanding shape.
In an 11-for-11 preseason performance, Johnson twirled a few gems. He found a go-to connection with Anthony Miller to keep drives alive. He hit Tylan Wallace midstride on a crossing route for a 31-yard gain. He hit Owen Wright at the goal line, giving the running back a chance to make a leap at the pylon for a touchdown.
It was a controlled, steady effort from the 38-year-old whom the Ravens are trusting as the backup for Lamar Jackson this season. “It feels good to execute,” Johnson said, citing a bounce-back from an ugly 4-for-12 preseason opener.
But it wasn’t enough to change my mind. I still don’t think having Johnson and Devin Leary behind the two-time MVP is a satisfactory solution for Baltimore.
I’ll admit that backup quarterback is probably somewhere down the list of priorities this preseason for a team that is figuring out its starting offensive line and replacing key pieces along the defensive front seven. But any team that hopes to go deep this season — and especially a team with a December bye week as the Ravens have — has to seriously consider who checks in under center if the starter goes out.
I’ve been surprised at how many observers I’ve bantered with on the topic feel it’s a moot point. The Ravens’ aspirations, the popular thinking goes, will live and die with Jackson. If he’s injured, there’s no salvaging the season anyway, I’ve heard.
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But there are degrees of injury. Jackson missed five regular-season games each in 2021 and 2022, games in which the Ravens were 1-4 and 2-3 respectively.
What if Jackson missed four games? Six? Could the team withstand it? Could the Ravens go .500 and keep postseason hopes alive?
Watching the Ravens during training camp has convinced me that this team is resilient. I think the defense, led by a particularly talented secondary, will again be one of the best in the NFL. On offense, between Derrick Henry in the backfield and Zay Flowers, Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews as receiving targets, there is enough talent to carry a capable backup for a short stretch.
But I haven’t seen enough to think Johnson, who was third in the pecking order last year behind Tyler Huntley, is that guy.
Outside his perfect completion percentage Saturday, Johnson has not had a memorable camp. He’s thrown a bunch of picks. His arm isn’t particularly strong. He moves OK for a 38-year-old, but he’s not especially mobile. He was also blown up on the game-opening drive for a sack, losing 12 yards.
That isn’t to say there’s no case for Johnson, who seems well liked in the locker room and respected by his coaches for his professionalism. The Baltimore Sun published an analysis last week touting Johnson’s merits. When asked about Johnson’s most important attributes, offensive coordinator Todd Monken cited preparation.
“First off, Josh does a tremendous job of being ready,” Monken said. “He’s the consummate pro – that’s why he’s been in the NFL for so long.”
But being a pro and delivering in games are not the same thing, and for all of Johnson’s experience, he hasn’t played much and he has won even less. Johnson’s career QB record in the regular season is 1-8, and he’s made just two NFL starts since 2018 (including one for the Ravens in 2021, a 41-21 loss to the Bengals).
Has age made Johnson a better quarterback? At this juncture, it would be a surprise.
Leary hasn’t impressed, either, largely following the scouting report that was available after his college career. His throwing accuracy comes and goes. It was disappointing to see him earn just one drive Saturday, because we haven’t seen much of him against NFL competition. Some seasoning would be necessary if the Ravens would have to throw him in the fire.
The best argument that the Ravens could use a better backup is picking who you’d swap with around the league. In the division, Cincinnati’s Jake Browning, Cleveland’s Jameis Winston and Pittsburgh’s Justin Fields all seem more suited to the task than Johnson or Leary.
Some of the league’s best quarterbacks have seasoned backups, too. Kansas City has Carson Wentz, Buffalo has Mitch Trubisky and Philadelphia has Kenny Pickett — none of them is special, but all of them have more experience as NFL starters than any Ravens backup.
I don’t think the Ravens have been neglectful of their backup quarterbacks, but they’ve certainly taken a risk. With little wiggle room under the salary cap (in large part due to their starter’s contract), they’ve tried to save some money at that spot. They let Huntley, who would have cost more to keep, walk this offseason, and a reunion seems unlikely even if Huntley misses the cut in Cleveland.
There’s logic to the move. With his off-field experience and leadership, Johnson can help the team without taking a snap. But it would start to feel dicey if he has to take any snaps at all.
It’s worth wondering if Ryan Tannehill, who played with Henry in Tennessee, or maybe one of the quarterbacks who gets cut in the coming weeks might offer a more attractive option. Maybe even someone down a depth chart could be a trade target — someone such as Atlanta quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who will begin this season behind Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr.
Yet it feels unlikely that the Ravens will make dramatic changes before the season starts. Coach John Harbaugh affirmed his confidence in the Ravens QBs again Saturday. “Josh did a great job,” he said.
Hopefully, assuming Jackson can remain as healthy as he was last year, it won’t matter. Johnson knows how to play a role behind the scenes. In very short spurts, including his first half against the Falcons, he can be effective.
“They know I can handle everything that’s expected in regards to the operation of the offense,” he said. “My style of play isn’t as exciting as Lamar’s — nobody’s is — but in regards to making the plays as necessary.”
Johnson did that Saturday, looking the part against Atlanta’s second string. But, when it comes to being ready for Sundays, Johnson and Leary have left a lot to be desired if the worst ever comes to pass.
