Ravens Rookie QB Joe Fagnano Playing Way Onto Practice Squad With Another Preseason Gem

The undrafted rookie out of UCONN faced a tougher challenge on the road in his second preseason game and he delivered again

Aug 22, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Fagnano (12) throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The boxscore from Joe Fagnano’s exhibition debut last week might pop a bit more than Saturday’s, perhaps. But this outing against the Minnesota Vikings, on the road, against a blitz-heavy defense, was probably more impressive.

The undrafted rookie out of UCONN had stellar film from thrashing the Eagles a week ago and coming out of nowhere to do so. Vikings aggressive defensive mastermind Brian Flores treats the preseason closer to the real thing than most who call plays on defense, and Fagnano entered this road game at a time when Baltimore’s offense was lifeless and suspect with No. 2 quarterback Snoop Huntley at the helm.

Once again Fagnano exceeded all reasonable hopes and expectations and he has absolutely played his way on to the roster as at least a practice squad signee. He was sharp in a 13-3 win at US Bank Stadium and he looks like a true developmental QB who should run their scout team and participate in their QB room getting trained and vested in this offense in case injuries really do strike. Preseason or not, his internal clock and decision making and poise look real, and he flashed some escapability as well away from home, and there is ample clay for Ravens rookie offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to mold here.

“Joe came in, second week in a row, and kind of managed the offense really well,” rookie head coach Jesse Minter said after the game Saturday. “He got us down there a few times, and he made some key plays throwing the ball. Guys made some nice catches for him. I just like the way we played in the second half.”

Fagnano could have felt the pressure, literally, in this one, getting blitzed 40 percent of the time, as Flores is apt to do.

With expectations peaked following a debut in which he led all NFL passers in completions and passing yardage, it would be natural if he took a step back. This was anything but, and he’s gone from a non-entity from a roster perspective to take better advantage of these opportunities than anyone could have imagined.

He finished 15/20 for 123 yards and a touchdown (106.5 rating) and after some early passes he’d want back Fagnano got into a lather and made things happen despite not having the run game and assistance he was getting from his novice teammates and line a week ago.

“Overall, just how I managed to operate the offense is something I really wanted to do,” Fagnano said in an interview with the Ravens broadcast team after the game. “That’s also a credit to the guys around me. I’m one of 11.”

Meeting A New Challenge

Fagnano was a total surprise last Saturday, but the Ravens were already pushing the Eagles around when he entered that game and he got off to a great start. In Minnesota, the Ravens starters, including No. 2 QB Snoop Huntley, struggled mightily and the offensive line was shaky, and it wasn’t a situation where Baltimore’s rookie class of pass catchers was already taking a game over.

He entered late in the first half, didn’t have great field position (the 15), and rookie coordinator Declan Doyle eschewed a chance to go hurry up and lean into a two-minute opportunity. It seemed Doyle (who opted to call plays again from the pressbox) needed halftime as much as anyone, and his offense took major strides in the second half.

Fagnano led a TD drive in which he made a perfect pass to Devontez Walker in the middle of the field on third-and-11, he overcome an offensive pass interference penalty to keep the drive going and with the Ravens in the redzone for the first time in the game he found LaJohntay Wester open on the sidelines for score. His progressions were smooth and he didn't get jittery or sacrifice his footwork.

“I’m just blessed to be able to pay in a stadium like this,” he said looking around and taking it all in as he conducted the post-game chat. “Drafted or not drafted, I’m going to take my opportunities as they come.”

That pass to Walker was the first of nine straight completions for him. He was asked to operate under center – unusual to him from college – and he again excelled at that vital component of the Sean Payton offense that Doyle is running (as Payton explained to us) – going 8-for-10 for 66 yards and often incorporating boot action for misdirection and throwing back across the field.

The kid went 5-for-8 for 37 yards against the blitz, and he has dropped back 52 times through two games and taken just one sack.

“He’s a general out there,” rookie tight end Josh Cuevas, who led the team with 46 receiving yards, said of Fagnano after the game. “When he gets his chances he’s been great these first two outings ... I can’t say enough about that guy.”

Fagnano is taking everything in stride and continuing to open eyes. He doesn’t seem shocked by what he’s doing even if everyone else is. And it would stand to reason that he plays quite a bit in Friday’s preseason finale back in Baltimore.

“I’m just playing football,” Fagnano said. “It doesn’t matter how many people are in the stands or where we're playing … I’m taking it day by day and play by play, and seeing where this goes.”

It’s already been going far better, with much more upside, than anyone but Fagnano could have anticipated.