Joe Flacco is not an elite quarterback. The joke is old. No one is still suggesting that, at least no one with a worthwhile opinion.
After guiding the Ravens’ to the Super Bowl XLVII title three years ago, the former first-round draft pick (2008) was rewarded with one of the most bizarre and generous contracts in sports history. Flacco signed a six-year, $120.6 million deal in March 2013, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history. Although we all knew the numbers were astounding at the time, their recent Super Bowl crown made some people reluctantly concede it was a massive contract but not outrageous, yet.
Three years later, it’s beyond outrageous, especially when looking at what his cap figure is for 2016. According to the Baltimore Sun, the Ravens’ cap hit is a whopping $28.55 million.
$28.55 MILLION.
A man that has thrown just 59 touchdowns to 46 interceptions over the last three years will eat up 19 percent of the Ravens’ projected $154 million NFL salary cap in 2016. It was widely expected that Flacco’s deal would be restructured in 2016 and that appears all but certain after subpar production and starting just 10 games in 2015.
Even with a restructured deal, it’s doubtful his $28.55 cap hit will significantly decline. Restructuring or not, it remains an insane number for a below average quarterback.
Photo: Baltimore Sun
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