The Ravens have extended an invitation to Kordell Stewart and a second chance to Chris Redman.
Team officials have been in contact with the agent for Stewart and are trying to arrange a visit as early as next week for the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback. But if the Ravens sign Stewart or any other free-agent quarterback, there will be an open competition for the starting job.
Redman was 3-3 as a first-year starter last season before a herniated disc sidelined him for the final 10 weeks of the season. After back surgery Jan. 17, he is scheduled to participate in the team's first minicamp in May.
"Whatever we do from this point on will be in competition," said Ravens coach Brian Billick, who has not had a quarterback battle in his 11 seasons as an NFL coach. "I don't particularly care for open competition in training camp. It's hard to orchestrate. It's not particularly fair to the athletes. It's very hard on the other players. But I recognize that you deal with the circumstances you have. That's what we have to do, that's what we'll do."
Redman, 25, could not be reached to comment yesterday.
The uncertainty of Redman's health prompted the Ravens to pursue re-signing Jeff Blake as their starter. But when Blake decided to visit other teams on Thursday, the Ravens pulled their offer off the table, which reopened the door for Redman to become No. 1 again.
"I offered Jeff what I did for a couple of reasons. I believe that was in Jeff's best interest and in the team's best interest to have that guy return and be in that position [as the starter]," Billick said. "Now, whoever is coming in is coming in from the outside."
That outsider could be Stewart, who is considered the top available prospect in a weak free-agent quarterback class. The Ravens had graded Stewart as high as Blake but preferred Blake because of his knowledge of the team's system.
Stewart's turbulent career in Pittsburgh included a 45-29 record (.608) in the regular season and some costly mistakes in the postseason. A year removed from being a league Most Valuable Player candidate, Stewart was benched in favor of Tommy Maddox after an 0-2 start last season and was cut for salary-cap purposes on Feb. 26.
Stewart, 30, left the Steelers with the second-most passing yards in franchise history (13,328) and ranked 13th in rushing (2,561 yards).
