The Baltimore Ravens entered training camp with zero mystery surrounding the top of their quarterback depth chart. Lamar Jackson remains one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks, and Tyler Huntley has proven he can capably step into the lineup when called upon.
The questions don't begin until we ask who's third on the depth chart. After Saturday night's preseason opening win against the Philadelphia Eagles, that competition may be much closer to a conclusion than it was a week ago.
Joe Fagnano received the longest look of any Ravens quarterback, taking over for Huntley in the second quarter and remaining in the game until Baltimore's second drive of the fourth quarter. The extended workload felt significant, and Fagnano made the most of it. By the end of the evening, the undrafted rookie had completed 22 of 28 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Accuracy continues to separate Joe Fagnano from the rest of the flock.
Fagnano looked comfortable running the offense and consistently delivered the football where it needed to go. His physical tools have never been the primary selling point of his game. No one is going to confuse him with Jackson when it comes to arm strength or athletic ability. What the rookie does possess, however, is accuracy, and that was on display throughout Saturday's contest.
Time and again, Fagnano delivered catchable footballs to his receivers, allowing them to make plays after the catch. Whether he was targeting Elijah Sarratt, Matthew Hibner or Ja'Kobi Lane, the ball frequently arrived on time and on target.
Joe Fagnano's 19 yard pass to Tez Walker is emblematic of what the Ravens have been able to execute so far. Only Under Center, Play Action has produced conistent yardage, this one over the middle on a 2nd and 3.#Ravens#Eagles#NFLTwitter#NFLpic.twitter.com/k43VXT6UAw
— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) August 15, 2026
JOE FAGNANO TD BABY 📈📈 pic.twitter.com/d8C6WWs3WJ
— Storrs Central (@StorrsCentral) August 16, 2026
For a quarterback competing for a reserve role, reliability matters. The Ravens don't need their third quarterback to carry the offense. They need someone who can operate within the system, make sound decisions, and keep the offense on schedule.
Fagnano checked many of those boxes against the Eagles. His lone major mistake came in the red zone when he attempted to force a pass into the back of the end zone. Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo made him pay, intercepting the throw and ending what had been a promising drive. Even so, the interception did little to overshadow an otherwise productive performance.
The Ravens' actions may already tell the story.
The most revealing aspect of Baltimore's quarterback situation may not be what happened Saturday night. It may be what happened before the game ever kicked off. The Ravens elected to move on from Diego Pavia before training camp, well before preseason action began, a decision that narrowed the competition and suggested confidence in the quarterbacks already on the roster.
While Baltimore has not officially declared a winner in the race for the No. 3 role, its actions indicate that Fagnano has been trending in the right direction for some time. Saturday's performance only strengthened that case.
There is still preseason football remaining, and roster decisions are rarely finalized after a single game. Coaches will continue to evaluate every rep, every meeting, and every practice. However, Fagnano's extended playing time and efficient performance against Philadelphia felt like more than a simple audition.
Lamar Jackson is the unquestioned starter. Tyler Huntley remains one of the league's more experienced backup quarterbacks. If Fagnano continues performing at this level, the Ravens may have already found their answer behind both of them. For an undrafted rookie trying to earn a place in one of the NFL's deepest organizations, that's a significant development. Saturday night looked a lot like a quarterback taking control of a roster spot and refusing to let go.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Joe Fagnano is making a strong case for the Ravens' third QB spot