Ravens Reportedly Interested in Quarterback Daniel Jones
On Friday, the New York Giants officially released former first-round quarterback Daniel Jones, ending his six-year career with the club that selected him No. 6 overall in 2019.
Jones, who will clear waivers on Monday at 4 p.m. ET, will then be allowed to sign with any team, and the Ravens are reportedly a potential landing spot.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Ravens – along with the Minnesota Vikings – are the likeliest of teams. However, there are others, as Jones desires to land with a playoff contender.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also named the Ravens as a landing spot for Jones, as his athleticism fits the Ravens' scheme built around Lamar Jackson.
"A team like the Baltimore Ravens could also make sense, with Jones' athleticism and speed fitting what Baltimore does on offense," Rapoport wrote. "Journeyman Josh Johnson currently is Lamar Jackson's backup. Jones could sign with the Ravens' practice squad and work his way up, and general manager Eric DeCosta is always looking to improve the roster."
The Ravens have made multiple quarterback moves this season, drafting Devin Leary in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft, signing Josh Johnson and momentarily reuniting with Tyler "Snoop" Huntley.
While the Ravens have confidence in Johnson, Big Blue View’s Ed Valentine notes Jones has far more recent game experience that could be of interest to Baltimore.
"[Since joining the NFL in 2009], Johnson has started in nine regular season games. He has started two games since 2018, and none in the regular season since 2021," Valentine wrote. "He was forced to start a playoff game for the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, going 7 of 13 for 74 yards as the 49ers lost the NFC Championship Game to the Eagles, 31-7. [The Ravens are] another place that makes sense. Jones is a far superior option to Johnson, and while he isn't as explosive a runner as Jackson his playing style suits the Baltimore offense."
Ravens' Trade for Calais Campbell Stopped by Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Shortly after the NFL trade deadline, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported the Ravens were in talks for multiple players, including cornerback Marshon Lattimore and defensive tackle Calais Campbell. On the former, they were outbid by the Washington Commanders; the latter fell through on account of Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel.
According to Rapoport, the Ravens were set to send a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for Campbell, but McDaniel disputed the deal.
"Sources say McDaniel stopped the deal, believing that Campbell was too valuable to lose. McDaniel told Campbell this to his face in a meeting," Rapoport wrote. "McDaniel couldn't get behind dealing one of their team leaders and defensive stalwarts, even if it would clear some money and bring back a 2026 fifth-rounder for a team that was then 2-6 and without a lot of hope for a turnaround."
Before the deadline, the Ravens were looking to shore up their defensive front and add another pass rusher.
The Ravens delt with injuries along the defensive line before the deadline, but they have been healthier since then. Their pass rush has found their stride, with outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy (13) and Odafe Oweh (12), and Nnamdi Madubuike (11) all ranking in the top 10 for pressures since the deadline passed in Week 10, according to Pro Football Focus.
What Pundits Expect in Ravens-Chargers Game
The Ravens close out Week 12 in primetime, facing the Los Angeles Chargers on "Monday Night Football." The matchup is filled with storylines, as John and Jim Harbaugh face one another again, numerous former Ravens now play for the Chargers, and the No. 2 scoring offense contends with the No. 1 scoring defense.
Here's what pundits are saying about the game.
Lamar Jackson is the X-factor
NFL.com’s Brooke Cersosimo: "Since Week 8, Herbert has thrown seven TDs with zero INTs and a 111.3 passer rating (both tops in the league in that span). He's also benefitted from the support of the Chargers' stingy defense, which ranks No. 1 in scoring (14.5 points per game) and second on third down (32.3 conversion rate allowed) and in the red zone (40.9 TD percentage allowed). And unlike Lamar, Herbert will face a defense that has really struggled at times and has allowed the most pass yards (284.5 yards per game) and the second-most pass TDs (22, tied). All this points in the Chargers' direction. However, they are 6-0 this season against teams currently below .500 and just 1-3 vs. teams at .500 or better. In this game, all three phases are going to be crucial -- looking at you, Justin Tucker -- and while the Ravens might have a slightly steeper hill to climb on paper, their X-factor quarterback has more experience in big games."
Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi: "Potent offense vs. stingy defense. Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the Ravens are second in scoring at 30.4 points per game. The Chargers are giving up a league-low 14.5 points per game. The biggest problem for the Ravens has been their defense, ranked 26th in yards and bottom 10 in points allowed. Justin Herbert and a rushing attack led by J.K. Dobbins could be problematic for Baltimore's defense. The Ravens will need Jackson to be a hero. He thrives in prime-time games, going 11-1 in his past 12 and 19-5 in his career."
Ravens assert themselves as contenders
LA Times’ Sam Farmer: "The Chargers are going to try to establish the run, but the Ravens are No. 1 at stopping it. Leaning toward Baltimore in this Jim-John Harbaugh matchup because the Ravens are better in the clutch."
Sportsline’s Eric Cohen: "The Ravens' best road game of the year was a Monday night contest in Tampa Bay in late October, and I think they'll show off once again in the spotlight this week. The Chargers have won four straight games, but those wins have come against teams that aren't close to a .500. This week, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry will assert themselves once again as AFC contenders, while the Chargers, while likely playoff-bound, are pretenders. Ravens 30, Chargers 21."
Sports Illustrated members are expecting the upset.
Sports Illustrated’s Mitch Goldich: "I must confess this is mostly a vibes pick. Nobody has been higher on the Ravens this year than me. I picked them to win the Super Bowl before the season and then doubled down on it in our midseason staff roundtable. But there is a part of me that feels like this game is the only reason Jim Harbaugh came back to the NFL. He spent nine years at Michigan thinking not about winning the Super Bowl but about beating his brother in one single football game. Like this is the most important thing in the universe to him and he will stop at nothing to beat the Ravens on this random Monday in November."
Sports Illustrated’s Peter Dewey: "The Chargers are red hot after surviving the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11, and they've now won four games in a row heading into a home matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12. Baltimore is favored in this one, but the Ravens' defense has been an issue all season long. They've allowed the sixth-most points and yards per play this season, and Justin Herbert and the Chargers have been rolling on offense in recent weeks. Don't be shocked if the Chargers hold off Baltimore at home."
John completes the HarBowl three-peat
Bleacher Report’s Vince Michelino: "Still, I believe this game has all the makings of an offensive shootout, and that favors Baltimore. l would rather the more explosive offense featuring an MVP candidate and running back having a historic rushing campaign. Not to mention, John is 2-0 vs. Jim. I like big bro to go for the three-peat."
| Source | Prediction | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN | 8 of 11 panelists pick Ravens | |
| Baltimore Sun | 5 of 5 panelists pick Ravens | “The Chargers are a balanced team capable of winning ugly. The Steelers just used that formula to beat the Ravens. Unlike Pittsburgh’s Russell Wilson, Justin Herbert will attack in the middle of the field, where the Baltimore defense is weakest. That said, Los Angeles has built its winning record and impressive defensive statistics against opponents that can’t touch the Ravens’ firepower. Cincinnati scored in bunches against the Chargers and that was without a notable running attack. If the Ravens get ahead early, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry will control this one.” — Childs Walker |
| USA Today | 5 of 6 panelists pick Ravens | |
| NFL.com | 4 of 5 panelists pick Ravens | “Headlining this game on the actual field of play: MVP candidates Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert. The two-time winner of that award is coming off his worst game of the season, but Lamar still leads the league with 314.6 offensive yards per game and a 117.3 passer rating. He's also thrown 25 TDs against just three picks. That's the second-best TD-to-INT ratio in the league this year, behind only ... his quarterbacking counterpart in this game! Herbert might not have Jackson's flashiness or gaudy counting numbers, but he's been equally good this season, especially during the team's four-game win streak… [The Chargers] are 6-0 this season against teams currently below .500 and just 1-3 vs. teams at .500 or better. In this game, all three phases are going to be crucial -- looking at you, Justin Tucker -- and while the Ravens might have a slightly steeper hill to climb on paper, their X-factor quarterback has more experience in big games.” — Brooke Cersosimo |
| NFL Network | 7 of 10 panelists pick Ravens | |
| Sporting News | Ravens 24, Chargers 20 | "John Harbaugh's Ravens hope that Lamar Jackson can rebound vs. the Chargers, the team that thwarted him in his first playoff game. They also need the defense to stay on point vs. Justin Herbert, as Jim Harbaugh's offense can toggle between run-heavy and pass-happy, making both work. In the end, Jackson will help his team make a few more big plays than Herbert to steal another lower-scoring classic..” — Vinnie Iyer |
| CBS Sports | 3 of 8 panelists pick Ravens | “The Ravens are playing consecutive road games after losing a tough, physical battle to the Steelers last week. The offense was disjointed in that game, but now must face another good defense. The Chargers beat the Bengals behind the play of the offense and I think that will carry over as they win the battle of the Harbaugh brothers.” — Pete Prisco |
| Pro Football Talk | 0 of 2 panelists pick Ravens | “Thanksgiving week starts with the perfect kind of family awkwardness.” — Mike Florio |
| Sports Illustrated | 5 of 8 panelists pick Ravens |
