It has been made clear time and time again this offseason that Joe Flacco is the Baltimore Ravens' starting quarterback. Rookie Lamar Jackson will probably be the team's backup signal-caller when the regular season rolls around, but John Harbaugh has made it clear he is going to have to earn it.
The Ravens released their first depth chart of the season and Jackson sits in the 3rd QB spot behind Robert Griffin III. Griffin is a veteran, which may be why he currently sits in the second spot as he has experience in the NFL and is likely more game-ready at the moment. Either way, Jackson has a lot to prove during training camp and the preseason if he wants to move up to the backup spot.
Harbaugh also made it clear that Jackson won't be a traditional backup and could be used in unique ways in the offseason. Most backup quarterbacks hold the clipboard for the starter and wait for an injury to happen to go in. Jackson will see the field this year because Harbaugh doesn't want to have his athleticism just sit on the bench.
Article Continues Below“One way or another, he's going to be out there, taking snaps,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh told John Kryk of the Toronto Sun. “Lamar is also a weapon for us, who can play quarterback. And we're going to play Lamar at quarterback … So we're going to play all of our good players. I don't see why we wouldn't. You've got this first.”
The Ravens are going to be a team that should be watched closely this preseason in terms of how they use Jackson and what he looks like against professional defenses.