The Baltimore Ravens were seeking a quarterback to replace Robert Griffin III while he tends to a thumb injury. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Josh Johnson turned down an offer from Baltimore before Joe Callahan got the call. Griffin is expected to return near the beginning of the season, so Johnson didn't see the Ravens as the right opportunity for himself.
The Ravens began their training camp this weekend, Griffin fractured his thumb in the first practice. He fractured his thumb by hitting it on a teammate's helmet when throwing the ball.
Coming into the season, Griffin is expected to be the backup to second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson. The only other quarterback on the roster had been rookie Trace McSorley, so bringing in a veteran was a necessary move.
Johnson likely turned down the offer because he knows he likely wouldn't stick around after Griffin comes back. Since coming into the NFL in 2008 and making his first appearance in a game in 2009, Johnson has been a journeyman quarterback in his career.
Johnson has played with a boatload of different teams in his journeyman career, including the Ravens in 2016. Most recently, Johnson spent the 2018 season with the Washington Redskins and actually started in three games at the end of the season.
Johnson didn't play too bad in his three starts, throwing for 590 yards and three touchdowns. Those three starts have likely helped draw interest from teams, but Johnson is waiting for the right opportunity.
Editor's Note: This story was changed to reflect the fact that the Ravens signed Joe Callahan after Josh Johnson turned them down.
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