Former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is headed to the Denver Broncos after the two teams agreed on a trade that sends the 11-year veteran to the Mile High city.
According to ESPN reporter Adam Schefter, the Ravens have agreed to trade Flacco to the Broncos in exchange for what will possibly be a fourth-round pick, although the deal can’t be processed until the start of the NFL’s new year on March 13. Once the trade can take effect the compensation and the terms of Flacco’s new contract will be negotiated between all the parties involved.
The Broncos, who have spent the offseason trying to improve their quarterback position, had spent the last couple of weeks assessing Joe Flacco. The trade was in part pushed for by new Broncos head coach Vic Fangio who coincided with Flacco for two seasons in Baltimore (2008, 2009) while he was linebackers’ coach.
With the move, the Ravens officially commit to Lamar Jackson, their first-round pick in last year’s draft who took over when Flacco went down with a hip injury. The Broncos meanwhile hope Flacco can help them win now after last year’s addition of Case Keenum ended in disappointment as the Broncos missed the postseason for the second straight year.
Although Flacco is not a long-term solution, the Broncos trust their defense can help them win now, which explains why they weren’t looking for a young signal caller to build around, but a solid and experienced passer who can help them make playoffs.
As everything points to Flacco being the starter, now the Broncos must decide what to do with Keenum’s guaranteed $7 million as they could choose to bench him or try to trade him.
Flacco leaves the Ravens as the most successful quarterback in franchise history, as he helped Baltimore reach the playoffs six times since 2008. He took the team to three AFC championship games and one Super Bowl, which they won in 2012 against the San Francisco 49ers as his performance earned him the game’s MVP award.
