It came as no surprise that the Baltimore Ravens were officially moving on from Joe Flacco after the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in January. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said during his press conference following the loss that "Joe Flacco would have a market," and he was right. In an afternoon trade first announced by Adam Schefter, the Ravens traded their franchise quarterback of 11 years to the Denver Broncos.
Denver Gives Ravens a mid-round pick for Flacco
While many analysts listed potential landing spots for Joe Flacco, ranging from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, and even the New York Giants.
While all of these teams, except the Giants, were potential suitors, Joe Flacco himself would ultimately decide where he wanted to go. Herbie Toepe, an Around the NFL writer breaks down the trade that Ian Rappaport first reported. Toepe states, "Flacco was traded for a fourth-round draft pick."
Furthermore, Toepe states that per Ian Rappaport," Joe Flacco, who has three years left on his deal, is expected to rework his deal, although no salary was talked about." The trade will become official on March 13, when the new league year begins. After 11 years Baltimore, Joe Flacco will start a new chapter of his career. He will have a familiar face there as well, head coach Vic Fangio who was on the Ravens coaching staff from 2006-2009.
John Elway shows Broncos are planning on winning
The last time the Denver Broncos were relevant was when Peyton Manning helped them hoist the Lombardi trophy following the 2015 season. Since then, general manager John Elway has seen a revolving door at quarterback with the likes of Paxton Lynch, Brock Osweiler, Trevor Siemian, and last years quarterback Case Keenum.
This trade shows that John Elway wants to win now. Flacco has played in many a meaningful game, including beating the Broncos in a very tough and competitive game on the way to helping the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII. Ryan Mink, a Ravens writer, expressed his opinion on the matter also, "The trade is a win for new general manager Eric DeCosta, who wanted to get something for him instead of releasing him.
" Mink also writes, "The Ravens weren't going to keep Flacco at his current price of $18.5 million. The trade will free up approximately $10.5 million in cap space. The caveat though is that the Ravens will carry $16 million in dead money in the 2019 season.
With the trade. the Broncos are getting a quarterback who has won meaningful games and has seen pretty much everything the NFL can throw at a player. "January Joe" as he's often called, has the most playoff road wins (seven) in NFL history. Now the Broncos can add pieces to the roster to help themselves get better via the NFL draft and free agency. Overall, this move will help John Elway prepare for the future, or it could put the Broncos in panic mode if the trade doesn't work.
But given Flacco's ability to throw the ball down the field, throw short, and play meaningful football in January and February, this trade should work out. Finally, Joe Flacco has been a veteran leader in the locker room, provided a veteran ear for his replacement in Baltimore, Lamar Jackson, and was a true professional when he was benched due to injury. Now Joe Flacco will have to show why he is expected to lead the Broncos to the promised land once again.
