Josh

Johnson

The veteran journeyman quarterback cemented his status as the primary backup behind Lamar Jackson, ending his second preseason appearance a perfect 11-for-11 after struggling in his first appearance against the Eagles last week. The Ravens have two rookies on the roster behind Jackson and Johnson, meaning there is little reason to believe Johnson will not serve as the primary backup for the coming season.

Johnson will turn 38 in May but is a familiar face to the Ravens. The former 2008 fifth-round pick has spent three different seasons with the Ravens and will presumably compete for the backup quarterback gig this offseason. Johnson has a 1-8 career record as a starter and has thrown for 228-13-16 across 39 games. He did not see an offensive snap in 2023 but was on the practice squad throughout the regular season.

The Ravens had released the journeyman quarterback before their Week 3 loss to the Colts, and bring him back as the team’s No. 3 quarterback while placing special teamer Tylan Wallace (hamstring) on injured reserve. Johnson will serve as Baltimore’s emergency QB.

Johnson was let go on roster cutdown day but is now back as the team’s QB3 — for now. Johnson threw for 285 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in the preseason and is expected to serve as the emergency backup to Tyler Huntley. In addition to Johnson, the Ravens also signed DE Brent Urban, and DB Kevon Seymour.

Huntley has been dealing with a hamstring injury since the Ravens’ first preseason game. The veteran quarterback hasn’t done much practicing since his injury, but it doesn’t sound like Harbaugh is concerned about the long-term nature of Huntley’s injury. His injury, however, could throw a wrench in the Ravens’ quarterback situation as they cut down to 53 players by Tuesday’s deadline. If the team is concerned about Huntley’s Week 1 availability, that could lead to quarterback Josh Johnson making the roster.

Johnson’s quarterback journey once again finds him in Baltimore, which he also played for in 2016 and 2021. The 37-year-old vet has spent time with 15 NFL franchises and played in the UFL, XFL, and AAF. Everybody’s favorite backup, Johnson has started just nine games in his career, throwing for 2,280-13-16 while rushing for another 425 yards and one touchdown. He saw limited action with the 49ers last season and was knocked from last year’s NFC Championship Game after Brock Purdy left with an elbow injury. Johnson will spend the offseason working out with the Ravens in training camp, but the Ravens rarely keep three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. He’s a competent backup, but is unlikely to beat out Tyler Huntley for the QB2 role behind Lamar Jackson.

Filling in for an elbow-hobbled Brock Purdy, Johnson got destroyed on a third quarter hit. He immediately went to the locker room. After sitting for more than two quarters, Purdy re-entered the game but has looked extremely limited. Johnson was playing spectacularly poorly in Purdy’s absence. The 49ers need a miracle to reach Super Bowl LVII.

Johnson, the 36-year-old most-traveled backup quarterback in the NFL, will provide competition for Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy in the wake of Jimmy Garoppolo’s fractured foot ending his season. Johnson looked fairly competent in small sample sizes in 2021 with the Jets and Ravens, throwing for 638 yards, five touchdowns, and two picks in 85 attempts. He’s as good a backup plan as the 49ers could hope to find at this time.

Johnson was supposedly the “clear frontrunner” to back up Russell Wilson, but it appears the Broncos will go with Brett Rypien instead. It is worth noting that Johnson is the type of veteran player teams will sometimes release then bring back after final cuts. Johnson’s next team will be his 15th in his long, strange trip of an NFL career.

A 36-year-old veteran who is with his 14th NFL club, Johnson signed with the Broncos this offseason after two strong performances for the Jets and Ravens last season. Johnson had two 300-yard passing games last season in relief, tossing five touchdowns to two interceptions while completing 67.1% of his passes. Klis reports that Johnson has “rep allocation” in training camp suggests the backup job is his to lose, putting quarterback Brett Rypien on the outside looking in to make the 53-man roster.