Ravens' reported interest in Daniel Jones has an obvious reason that has nothing to do with this season

It's extremely rare in the NFL for starting quarterbacks to become free agents in the middle of the season, but that's the reality for Daniel Jones. The New York Giants granted Jones his release on Friday after the club benched him for Tommy Devito earlier in the week, officially ending his time with the franchise that drafted him in 2019.

Jones is still owed money from the Giants on his four-year, $160 million contract he signed in 2023. It's the biggest reason why he hasn't been claimed by any of the 31 other teams in the league. Jones will become a free agent on Monday at 4:00 p.m. ET, and interested clubs will be able to sign him to a more affordable contract for the remainder of the season.

This is where the Baltimore Ravens and their most prominent tradition as a franchise comes into play.

Explaining the Ravens' interest in Daniel Jones

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that the Ravens are one of the likeliest teams to sign Jones next week after the sixth-year QB clear waivers. Per Schefter, Jones wants to sign with a contender, and the Ravens certainly fit the description. 

NFL Media's Ian Rapoport corroborated the reported interest, explaining that Jones could work his way up to become Lamar Jackson's backup due to his athleticism.

"A team like the Baltimore Ravens could also make sense, with Jones' athleticism and speed fitting what Baltimore does on offense. Journeyman Josh Johnson currently is Lamar Jackson's backup. Jones could sign with the Ravens' practice squad and work his way up, and general manager Eric DeCosta is always looking to improve the roster." - NFL Media's Ian Rapoport

Having Jones as Jackson's backup would be an aggressive move for Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta to make, but there's an added layer to why DeCosta would entertain it.

If the Ravens add Jones on a one-year deal, it will expire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 league year in March and he'd become an unrestricted free agent. Jones could then sign with another team, and the last team he would've played for would be Baltimore.

In short, the Ravens would be eligible to receive a 2026 compensatory pick for Jones signing with another team next year.