The Baltimore Ravens' quarterback carousel took another spin Saturday morning when the team released Austin Reed, a third-year signal-caller who had been added to the active roster just days earlier.
Reed's brief tenure in Baltimore came amid a chaotic stretch for the Ravens' quarterback room. Lamar Jackson underwent surgery on his right thumb and landed on injured reserve, while backup Tyler Huntley was ruled out for the season with a toe injury. The team had signed Reed off the street to provide depth, but his stay lasted only a few days before the front office pulled the trigger on a deal for a more experienced arm.
On Friday, the Ravens finalized a trade with the Arizona Cardinals to acquire Jacoby Brissett, sending a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 seventh-round pick in exchange for Brissett and a 2027 fifth-round pick. The move gives Baltimore a proven starter to lead the offense while Jackson recovers.
Brissett, who has started games for several teams over his career, has completed 63.3% of his passes this season for 1,719 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions with the Cardinals. He's expected to make his Ravens debut in Week 10 against the Chargers, and the team hopes he can steady a unit that has been in flux.
Reed, 26, went undrafted out of Western Kentucky in 2024 and spent time with the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Renegades of the United Football League before landing in Baltimore. His release clears a roster spot as the team finalizes its plans around Brissett.
The Ravens' quarterback crisis has been a storyline for weeks, with Huntley's season-ending injury compounding Jackson's absence. The team's playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, and trade speculation around Derrick Henry has added to the uncertainty. But the addition of Brissett signals that Baltimore is not ready to wave the white flag.
Brissett's experience could be a stabilizing force, but the question remains whether he can perform well enough to keep the Ravens in contention. The AFC North is tight, and every game matters from here on out.
For now, the focus shifts to Sunday's matchup with the Chargers, where Brissett will get his first chance to prove he can be the answer. The Ravens' season may depend on it.
