Baltimore Ravens’ All Quarter Century Team: Examining the Franchise’s Best Quarterback After 25 Years of Grit, Glory, and Greatness
Since their inception in 1996, the Baltimore Ravens have become one of the NFL’s most respected and successful franchises. Built on a foundation of suffocating defenses, exceptional front-office acumen, and a blue-collar culture that reflects the city they represent, the Ravens have won two Super Bowls, produced countless Hall of Fame defenders, and earned consistent playoff berths. But when it comes to the quarterback position—the most scrutinized and celebrated role in football—the franchise has taken a rockier, more complex path.
While the Ravens’ history is dominated by defensive greats like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs, the quarterback position has evolved slowly over the decades. It wasn’t until recent years that the franchise began to shift its identity and develop a more potent offensive attack led by a signal-caller capable of stealing the spotlight. As we look back at 25-plus seasons of Ravens football to determine the quarterback of the All Quarter Century Team, only a few names rise to the top—and one stands out clearly.
The Ravens were born from chaos. When Art Modell moved the Browns from Cleveland to Baltimore in 1996, he inherited a roster in flux. In their inaugural season, the team’s starting quarterback was Vinny Testaverde, a journeyman veteran who had played for the Buccaneers and Browns. Testaverde was solid, throwing for 4,177 yards and 33 touchdowns in 1996, but his stay in Baltimore was brief. The team’s growing pains and inconsistent defense at the time meant wins were hard to come by.
In the late 1990s, the Ravens cycled through quarterbacks like Eric Zeier, Tony Banks, and Stoney Case—names more remembered for mediocrity than magic. The franchise needed a long-term answer, and in 2000, they made a bold move by turning to Trent Dilfer after Banks faltered midseason.
Dilfer is often remembered as the quarterback who rode the wave of an all-time great defense to a Super Bowl. And that’s fair. In the 2000 season, Dilfer wasn’t asked to win games so much as avoid losing them. He threw for just 1,502 yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season but played mistake-free football in the playoffs.
The Ravens’ defense that year is often considered the best in NFL history, and Dilfer did his job—culminating in a 34–7 rout of the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. He made one critical throw—a 38-yard touchdown to Brandon Stokley—that set the tone, and from there, the defense handled the rest.
While Dilfer holds the honor of being the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl for Baltimore, his short tenure and limited overall impact on the franchise exclude him from being considered the All Quarter Century Team quarterback.
In the early 2000s, the Ravens invested a first-round pick in Kyle Boller, hoping he would become the long-term solution. Boller had a big arm and impressive athleticism but struggled with consistency and decision-making. Despite multiple chances to secure the job, Boller never blossomed into the franchise quarterback the team hoped for. He finished his Ravens career with a 20–22 record as a starter and more interceptions (44) than touchdowns (45). His era marked a time when the Ravens had dominant defenses but lacked offensive punch, often failing to capitalize in the playoffs due to quarterback limitations.
In 2006, the Ravens brought in veteran Steve McNair, who had previously led the Tennessee Titans to a Super Bowl appearance and earned co-MVP honors in 2003. McNair brought leadership and poise to a team that still boasted an elite defense. That season, the Ravens finished 13–3 and earned a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Unfortunately, McNair’s success was short-lived. The Ravens were upset in the divisional round by the Indianapolis Colts, and McNair’s performance in that game—marked by turnovers and missed opportunities—highlighted the team’s continued struggles at the quarterback position when it mattered most. Injuries caught up with McNair, and he retired after the 2007 season.
Then came Joe Flacco.
Selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, Flacco was an unknown to many fans, having played at the University of Delaware. But from the moment he stepped onto the field, Flacco brought stability, toughness, and postseason composure that the Ravens had lacked for years. In his rookie season, he led the team to the AFC Championship Game. Over the next several years, he continued to produce quietly effective seasons while guiding the Ravens to consistent playoff appearances.
Flacco’s career reached its peak during the 2012 postseason. In one of the most remarkable playoff runs in NFL history, he threw 11 touchdown passes and zero interceptions across four games—defeating Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and finally Colin Kaepernick in Super Bowl XLVII. His deep ball accuracy, calm demeanor, and big-game performance solidified his place in Ravens lore.
Over his 11 seasons with Baltimore, Flacco threw for 38,245 yards and 212 touchdowns. He left the Ravens with a 96–67 record as a starter, seven playoff appearances, and five postseason victories on the road—an NFL record at the time. Flacco may not have lit up highlight reels or earned regular-season MVPs, but his legacy is rooted in durability, postseason excellence, and a championship ring.
For many Ravens fans, Flacco is the clear choice for the All Quarter Century Team quarterback. But a new contender has emerged—and he’s rapidly rewriting the script.
When the Ravens selected Lamar Jackson with the 32nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, they took a calculated risk. Jackson’s dual-threat skill set was viewed by some as unconventional for a quarterback, but Baltimore saw a playmaker with rare talent. By the end of his rookie year, Jackson had taken over for Flacco and led the Ravens to the playoffs with a revamped, run-heavy offense tailored to his unique abilities.
Then came 2019—a season for the ages. Jackson dominated the NFL, throwing for 3,127 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions while rushing for 1,206 yards and 7 more scores. He became the second unanimous MVP in league history, electrifying fans and redefining what a quarterback could be.
Under Jackson, the Ravens offense became one of the most explosive in the league. His ability to evade pressure, create plays with his legs, and throw on the run has made him a nightmare for defensive coordinators. He’s broken countless records, including most rushing yards by a quarterback in a season, and has already amassed multiple 1,000-yard rushing campaigns.
However, Jackson’s playoff résumé remains a work in progress. Though he earned his first postseason win in 2020 against the Titans, his overall playoff record is 2–4. Critics point to turnovers and inconsistency in high-pressure situations. Still, he’s just 28 years old and entering his prime, with a freshly signed long-term contract and a new offensive coordinator who’s tailoring the offense to his growth as a passer.
Jackson is easily the most dynamic quarterback in franchise history—and possibly in NFL history—but the question remains: does potential outweigh past performance when naming the All Quarter Century quarterback?
Final Verdict: Flacco or Jackson?
The Ravens’ All Quarter Century Team quarterback debate boils down to Joe Flacco and Lamar Jackson. Both players have redefined eras of Ravens football in their own ways.
Joe Flacco:
- Super Bowl MVP
- 10 playoff wins
- 11 seasons as starter
- Known for clutch performances and durability
- Solid, if unspectacular, regular-season numbers
Lamar Jackson:
- NFL MVP (2019)
- Revolutionary talent and offensive weapon
- More explosive and entertaining
- Still building his playoff résumé
- Faces higher expectations and scrutiny
For now, Joe Flacco earns the nod as the quarterback for the Ravens’ All Quarter Century Team. His Super Bowl victory, consistent playoff performances, and longevity make him the most accomplished quarterback in franchise history to date.
However, Lamar Jackson is not far behind—and with a few more postseason wins and sustained excellence, he could very well surpass Flacco and claim the title outright within the next few years. The torch may not have fully passed yet, but it’s burning brighter than ever.
As the next chapter of Ravens football unfolds, the quarterback position—once the team’s greatest question mark—is now a defining strength. And in a franchise that has always taken pride in its evolution, the best may still be to come.
