Ravens Trade for Veteran Brissett Despite 6% Playoff Odds
Baltimore’s decision to acquire a starting quarterback while sitting near the bottom of the league may cost the team a higher draft pick next spring.
By Julian Schulz ·
Baltimore fans watching from their living rooms this past Thursday saw a team that struggled to generate momentum. The Ravens were outmatched by the Jacksonville Jaguars, averaging just 3.1 yards per play across the game. That total excluded a 65-yard touchdown run by Justice Hill in the fourth quarter. The loss marked the fourth straight defeat for Baltimore. Over that span, the team was outscored 117 to 43. The current record leaves the Ravens with a 6% chance of making the postseason, according to FTN’s DVOA projections.
General Manager Eric DeCosta moved quickly after that loss. He acquired veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Indianapolis Colts. The 33-year-old player is expected to start against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football. The move replaces Joe Fagnano at the top of the depth chart. Coach Jesse Minter described the trade as a much-needed move. He said Brissett will operate the offense at a level required for success and will hold players accountable.
Brissett threw 23 touchdown passes as the primary starter for the Arizona Cardinals last season. His experience offers a step up from Fagnano. Minter believes the veteran presence will provide a more stable environment for young players to develop. The coaching staff wants to give the offense a fair evaluation before the season ends.
The trade complicates the Ravens’ position for the 2027 draft. The team is projected to be well over the salary cap next year. More than 60% of their total cap space is tied up in five players. This limits their ability to sign free agents. A high draft pick becomes their primary tool for adding talent. The Ravens picked sixth in 2016 when they finished with a 5-11 record. That pick was Ronnie Stanley, who remains their starting left tackle a decade later.
DeCosta has built the roster through the draft in previous years. He knows the value of high draft capital. The decision to spend on Brissett suggests a belief that the team can still win games in the short term. It also suggests a lingering hope that Lamar Jackson will return from thumb injuries in December. An ESPN report stated that Jackson told teammates he expects to play before the season concludes.
The front office has historically preferred retooling over full rebuilds. Owner Steve Bisciotti fired John Harbaugh in January but kept DeCosta and Jackson. The current roster includes players like Roquan Smith, Ronnie Stanley, Marlon Humphrey, and Mark Andrews. These veterans hold significant contract value. The team must decide if it can afford to keep them while also trying to improve through the draft.
The Ravens have eight games left on the schedule. They will face the Chargers, then continue their run. The decision to start Brissett signals a commitment to competitive play. It may limit the number of wins they secure, but it aims to keep the team within reach of a .500 record. The front office is balancing the immediate need for stability against the long-term value of a better draft position.
The trade deadline has passed for major moves. The focus now shifts to how the team performs in the remaining weeks. Minter’s staff is tasked with getting the best out of the current personnel. The front office is tasked with managing the salary cap and draft strategy. The outcome of the next month will determine if the Brissett acquisition was a helpful step or a costly distraction.
