When Lamar Jackson left the field against the Kansas City Chiefs with a hamstring issue, the Baltimore Ravens’ season instantly shifted course. What appeared to be a minor setback has evolved into a case study in flawed roster planning, and one Super Bowl champion did not hesitate to call it out.
Did the Baltimore Ravens Misread Its Backup Quarterback Situation?
Former Super Bowl winner and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark condemned the Ravens’ quarterback decision on X, writing, “Watching how much better Huntley makes this Baltimore offense truly makes you wonder about personnel decisions. Why acquire Cooper Rush when his style of play is so much different from Lamar Jackson?”
His words reflect what numbers now confirm. According to PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, the Ravens rank 26th in the league with a 68.5 Offense Impact Score and a D+ grade, far behind the Colts (97.5), Bills (90.5), and Chiefs (89.6).
Watching how much better Huntley makes this Baltimore offense truly makes you wonder about personel decisions. Why acquire Cooper Rush when his style of play is so much different from Lamar Jackson?
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 26, 2025
For a franchise that opened the season with Super Bowl aspirations, those numbers tell a sobering story.
The signing of Cooper Rush, who, according to Spotrac, inked a two-year, $6.2 million deal in March 2025, has done little to stabilize the offense. In 2025, Rush has completed 65.4% of his passes for 303 yards, with zero touchdowns and four interceptions through four games. His 48.8 passer rating and 29.5 QBR illustrate how ill-fitted his pocket-based style is for the Ravens’ motion-heavy system.
By contrast, Tyler Huntley, though only appearing in one game this season, showcased a glimpse of compatibility. Huntley completed 66.7% of his passes for 68 yards and ran for 39 yards on three carries, posting a 76.5 passer rating and 64.3 QBR. Even in limited action, his dual-threat ability more closely mirrors Jackson’s skill set, supporting Clark’s claim that Huntley makes the offense more fluid.
PFSN’s Priyanshu Choudhary previously noted how Jackson’s season was derailed by relentless pressure, suffering 15 sacks in just four games. Yet when Rush took over, the offensive production plummeted further, a reflection of scheme mismatch rather than personnel depth.
The PFSN metric reinforces what the eye test already shows: the Ravens’ offense thrives on mobility and improvisation. Rush, a traditional pocket passer, strips that identity away. With a D+ offensive grade and declining efficiency, the Ravens’ $6.2 million investment now stands as one of the season’s most glaring miscalculations.
