News Article
Published
Oct 25, 2026 at 02:47 PM EDT
Alex Smith believes the Baltimore Ravens have a championship ceiling, and he’s fine with them sitting their franchise quarterback to protect it.
Baltimore declared quarterback Lamar Jackson out with an ankle injury for the Week 7 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 25, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. Tyler Huntley will make his third consecutive start.
Smith, a former quarterback, endorsed the decision and tied it directly to Baltimore’s postseason hopes.
“This is a team that’s capable of winning the Super Bowl. … In order to do that, we gotta get Lamar [Jackson] healthy.”
Mobility drives his argument.
“It’s not like he’s Dan Marino. Right. That’s not his game. I mean for him to go out on the field and play well he needs to have his mobility.”
Having “a capable backup” in Huntley made sitting Jackson a smart move, Smith said. He also admitted critics would pile on if Jackson played on a bad ankle and struggled.
Against the Cleveland Browns in the previous outing, Baltimore saw an extra safety creep toward the line from the first snap to take away Derrick Henry. Smith said defenses rarely risk that with Jackson in the backfield.
Jackson’s line through four games sits at 70.8% completions, 967 passing yards, 6 touchdowns and 1 interception, along with 144 rushing yards and 1 score on 19 carries.
Huntley gives the Ravens a similar mobile profile. He’s played in three games, starting two, connecting on 70.8% of his throws for 429 yards, 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.
He’s also run for 68 yards and a touchdown. Without Jackson starting, the Ravens are 1-1 this season.
Jackson is one of five players ruled out, joining receiver Elijah Sarratt, safety Jaylinn Hawkins, guard Andrew Vorhees and defensive end Broderick Washington on the sideline.
The Ravens are 4-2, second in the AFC North behind the Browns, who own the same record. The Bengals sit last at 3-2, and a Cincinnati win would push them past Baltimore, which would fall to 4-3.