The Baltimore Ravens don't always carry a third quarterback on the 53-man active roster, but if they do so in 2026, Joe Fagano will likely be the guy. The undrafted rookie out of UConn has taken the third-string QB position battle by the scruff of the neck, as he led the NFL in Week 1 of the preseason in passing yards (224).
Even more impressively, he did it with a 79% completion rate (22-28). He took the bulk of the snaps (51 in total) on Saturday night, as the Ravens beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-7. Second-stringer Snoop Huntley went 6-7 for 76 yards passing (on 15 snaps) while Austin Reed, Fagano's only competition for the slot, went 2-2 for 14 yards (on 14 snaps).
Reed, a Chicago Bears practice squad member in 2024 and 2025, was only signed
four days ago, and he should see much more playing time in the second preseason game, once he's had more time to learn the system. Reed was only signed as a response when another signal-caller who was competing for the QB3 job, Skylar Thompson, got seriously hurt and was placed on the injured reserve
The Heisman runner-up, Diego Pavia, was cut before training camp even began. He remains unsigned, and it seems highly unlikely that Pavia will play NFL football in 2026.
At this point, a roster spot/the third-string quarterback position is simply Fagano's to lose. He deserves his flowers for not looking like a rookie out there on Saturday night. He looked poised and polished, like a veteran. Then again, he is 25 years old, which is a much more mature age than your typical NFL rookie.
Fagano was accurate and efficient, making good throws as he systematically went through his reads. He did throw an interception, and he wasn't perfect by any means, but he doesn't need to be. He would be much more of a "game manager" than a true "difference maker" should he actually see time in a game that counts.
If it does happen... well, there is a reason why third-stringers are called "the emergency quarterback." Fagano needs to master the system, and he seems well on his way.
If both Lamar Jackson and Huntley go down, Declan Doyle would likely gear the game plan to revolve around Derrick Henry, with play-action passes designed to keep opposing defenses honest rather than stacking the box. Fagano should, in theory, be able to do that pretty well.
That all said, Fagano is also a guy that seems to level up his game whenever he moves up in rank. He was much better at the FBS level with UConn than he was at the FCS level with Maine.
So perhaps we have not yet seen his best football.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Joe Fagano showcased efficiency and accuracy in preseason opener
