Predicting each NFL teams starting quarterback on opening day 2019
By Jake Starr
![(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e6c52dba27519577366ddc40397c4c698dc6a5b1070dfc32bf6abe742444bf0e.jpg)
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson
Going into the season, it was only a matter of time until Lamar Jackson overtook Joe Flacco for the starting quarterback job. That seemed to be the plan when the Baltimore Ravens picked Jackson with the 32nd overall pick in the 2018 draft.
After serving as mostly a wildcat quarterback early in the season, Jackson became the starter in Week 11 when Flacco got hurt and has not looked back since. He has gone 5-1 in his six starts, with his lone loss coming in overtime on the road to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jackson’s success has relegated Flacco to a backup role, and there is little doubt that the Ravens will have to eat Flacco’s $16 million in 2019 dead cap and move on from him. If Flacco was lights out or Jackson didn’t appear ready, then maybe Baltimore brings back Flacco, but that no longer seems to be the case.
Officially moving on from the former Super Bowl MVP will hand the keys to the franchise to the 22-year old from Louisville. Jackson is far from a polished quarterback, but Ravens fans have to be excited about what Jackson has to offer.
The Jackson era has officially begun in Baltimore, and if he continues to develop as a passer to go with his running ability, then the Ravens might have found a real diamond in the kid from Louisville.