BALTIMORE (105.7 The Fan) -- The Baltimore Ravens agreed Wednesday to trade quarterback Joe Flacco to the Denver Broncos, according to ESPN. The trade cannot go through until the new league year begins in March 13.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Ravens will receive a fourth-round draft pick from the Broncos in exchange for Flacco.
So what does this mean for the Ravens?
First, it means Baltimore is pushing in its chips on Lamar Jackson as the starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. Jackson was drafted No. 32 overall in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. With his selection, the writing was on the wall for Flacco.
Flacco, 34, made nine starts in 2018 before injuring his right hip. He completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 2,465 yards, 12 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 84.2 quarterback rating. After his nine starts, the Ravens held a 4-5 record and were on the outside looking in on the playoffs.
Jackson entered the lineup for Flacco and never looked back. With his dual-threat abilities, Jackson changed the direction of Baltimore’s offense by way of the read option. With 695 rushing yards (on 147 rushes) and five touchdowns, the Ravens hopped to No. 2 in the NFL in rushing yards (2,441) and No. 3 in rushing touchdowns (19). Baltimore went 6-1 during this span to win the AFC North title.
By getting rid of Flacco, the Ravens will immediately save $10.5 million in cap space for the 2019 season. As a whole, they will save $18.5 million in cash in 2019. Baltimore will still have a $16 million hit in dead cap space.
It also helps their stockpile of picks in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Ravens had just six picks before the trade. They sent their second-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles to move into the first round for Jackson last year. They received the Tennessee Titans' sixth-round selection in another trade last year.
The Broncos' odds to win the Super Bowl actually dropped from 100-1 to 125-1 with the news of the trade. The Ravens’ odds increased from 30-1 to 28-1.
Flacco leaves an important legacy in Baltimore, full of ups and downs. “January Joe,” as he is fondly called by the Ravens' faithful, began his career by making the playoffs five straight times, winning at least one postseason game in his first five seasons. Following the 2012 season, he led the Ravens on a Super Bowl run, passing for 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions in four playoff games and being named MVP of Super Bowl XLVII.
During that run, Flacco went through the Broncos in Denver in the Divisional round. He threw the longest pass of his playoff career, a 70-yard strike to Jacoby Jones over the head of Broncos safety Raheem Moore, to tie the game at the end of regulation before winning in overtime. The pass was dubbed the “Mile High Miracle.”
Flacco had the worst season of his career in 2013, immediately following the Super Bowl run. Though he nearly passed for 4,000 yards (3,912), Flacco threw just 19 touchdowns and 22 interceptions with a passer rating of 73.1 as the Ravens missed the playoffs.
In 2014, Flacco passed for 3,986 yards and a career-high 27 touchdowns with a 91.0 QB rating as the Ravens returned to the playoffs. Flacco passed for 259 yards and two touchdowns in a playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and posted 292 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions as the Ravens were eliminated by the New England Patriots.
Flacco struggled with a knee injury in 2015 that lingered into the 2016 season. He then injured his back prior to the 2017 season and had his fewest passing yards (3,141) for a full season since his rookie year (2,971).
Despite the up-and-down nature of his career, Flacco is undoubtedly the greatest quarterback in Ravens history. Only time will tell what Jackson will accomplish. Flacco is the benchmark.
By Kyle J. Andrews