The Baltimore Ravens just made one of the most intriguing roster moves of the 2026 offseason. Signing a quarterback who spent last season on a rival’s injured reserve list sounds like a low-stakes move. But in Baltimore, where every decision behind Lamar Jackson carries weight, it’s a story worth telling.
The Ravens have signed Skylar Thompson, a 28-year-old veteran who has experienced an unpredictable NFL journey. His career has spanned from Miami to Pittsburgh, and now he joins one of the most formidable quarterback rooms in the AFC North, ready for new challenges.
Let’s take a closer look.
From Missouri to Manhattan, Kansas
Skylar Thompson was born on June 4, 1997, in Palmyra, Missouri. He grew up with a drive that translated directly to football glory. At Fort Osage High School, he led his team to a Missouri Class 5 state championship in 2015. He threw for 2,112 yards and 25 touchdowns that season with just three interceptions.
His high school finale was nothing short of legendary. In the state title game alone, Thompson accounted for a record 455 yards of total offense. He also lettered in basketball, baseball, and soccer, earning Missouri All-State recognition in two of those sports.
A Kansas state legacy built over six seasons
Thompson spent six seasons with the Wildcats, starting 40 games and winning 24 of them. He is the only player in school history to record both 6,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a career. That dual-threat ability made him a fan favorite in Manhattan, Kansas.
He finished his college career with 7,134 passing yards, 42 touchdowns, and just 16 interceptions. He was named the 2021 TaxAct Texas Bowl MVP. NFL scouts noted his decent accuracy and mobility but flagged his arm strength as a concern heading into the 2022 draft.
Lesser-known fact: During his high school years at Fort Osage, Thompson excelled as both a punter and kicker on the football team.
The Miami Dolphins and an unlikely NFL debut
The Miami Dolphins selected him 247th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He impressed immediately in the preseason, finishing first among all qualifying quarterbacks with a 138.5 passer rating heading into the regular season. That performance forced Miami to keep him on the 53-man roster over the risk of losing him on waivers.
Injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater pushed Thompson into starting action earlier than anyone expected. He made three regular-season starts with the Dolphins and started the 2022 Wild Card game against the Buffalo Bills, going toe to toe in a 34-31 loss. Miami entered that playoff game as 14-point underdogs.
Heartbreak, injuries, and a tough road through Miami
He compiled 721 passing yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions in 10 appearances across three seasons in Miami. He completed 58.7% of his passes during his time with the Dolphins. He battled rib injuries and was eventually replaced as the backup by Huntley after struggling in a 2024 start against Seattle.
The Dolphins waived Thompson in December 2024 before re-signing him to their practice squad days later. He had done everything asked of him. He stayed ready, competed hard, and never made excuses. That character would eventually earn him another NFL opportunity.
What Thompson brings to Baltimore’s QB room
He joins a quarterback room that already includes two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and proven backup Tyler Huntley. Baltimore also added undrafted rookies Diego Pavia and Joe Fagnano after the draft. Head coach Jesse Minter had said the team could carry three to five quarterbacks on the 90-man roster this offseason.
Thompson adds veteran experience and competitive depth behind Jackson. He has started in playoff action and knows what pressure looks like. His preseason performance with Pittsburgh showed he still has the tools to compete for a roster spot ahead of training camp.
Lesser-known fact: Thompson and Tyler Huntley, his new Ravens teammate, were former Dolphins teammates before being reunited in Baltimore.
The AFC north rivalry angle that makes this interesting
Thompson spent the 2025 season in Pittsburgh’s building, learning their systems and observing their culture. Now he takes everything he absorbed straight into the Ravens’ locker room. Baltimore and Pittsburgh remain one of the fiercest rivalries in all of professional sports.
The Ravens have beaten the Steelers in recent postseason matchups and are firmly positioned as the AFC North’s top team heading into 2026. Adding a former Steelers quarterback, even a backup, is the kind of move that makes fans on both sides pay attention. It is competitive, smart, and a little bit of a statement.
Competition for the no. 3 spot will be fierce
Thompson faces competition from Pavia, a 2025 Heisman Trophy finalist at Vanderbilt, and Fagnano, a Connecticut product who impressed scouts at the college level. Minter has been clear that the roster will be sorted out through the rookie minicamp, minicamp, and training camp. It will be a genuine competition.
Thompson’s edge is his NFL experience. He has taken playoff snaps. He has started games in a hostile environment. That resume matters when coaches are deciding who to trust if Jackson or Huntley were ever sidelined. His presence pushes the entire group to be better.
What this says about Baltimore’s roster philosophy
Baltimore did not draft a quarterback this year, choosing to trust Jackson and Huntley at the top while developing options behind them. Signing Thompson fits neatly into that philosophy. He is affordable, experienced, and motivated to prove himself after a lost season on injured reserve.
The Ravens have consistently managed their quarterback room with patience and purpose. From developing backups into contributors to making smart low-cost signings, they treat depth as a competitive asset. Thompson is another piece of that puzzle, and he arrives hungry.
TL;DR
- The Baltimore Ravens signed QB Skylar Thompson to a one-year deal on May 4, 2026.
- Thompson, 28, previously played for the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers.
- He was a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Kansas State.
- He missed most of the 2025 season with a hamstring injury on Pittsburgh’s injured reserve.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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