What They’re Saying About Flacco’s New Deal
Before we get to everyone’s reaction to quarterback 
- Three-year extension for $66.4 million and $44 million guaranteed (six years, $125 million overall). He’s now the highest player in football again in salary per year.The $40 million signing bonus is an NFL record.
- The average annual salary of $22.1 million is the highest in the NFL, besting Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at $22 million.
- The Ravens only saved $6 million against the cap in 2016 (many expected savings between $8-12 million), and instead opted for much flatter cap hits throughout the life of the deal. Avoiding cap spikes in future years will give more flexibility.
Cap hit changes from old deal to new deal, per NFL Media’s Adam Breer. (Note: with the cap currently rising by a rate of $10 million or more per year, Flacco’s cap numbers may be in the middle-of-pack for winning quarterbacks in the final years).
2016: $28.55 million -------> $22.55 million
2017: $31.15 million -------> $24.55 million
2018: $24.75 million -------> $24.75 million
2019: n/a ---------------------> $26.50 million
2020: n/a ---------------------> $28.25 million
2021: n/a ---------------------> $24.24 million
Now for reaction…
Having Flacco for the next six seasons gives the Ravens a chance to win Super Bowls (plural).
“Rank Flacco anywhere you want on the quarterback totem pole. But don’t forget these facts. He’s a Super Bowl MVP. He has 10 career playoff wins, more than any active quarterback except Tom Brady (22) Peyton Manning (14) and Ben Roethlisberger (11). He plays his best football in the clutch. Does Tony Romo? Does Matt Ryan? Does Andy Dalton? People are reluctant to admit it now, but when the Ravens beat the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, many people thought 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was headed for a better career than Flacco. How’s that working out?” -- Clifton Brown, CSNMidatlantic.com
Flacco is a drama-free quarterback with his best football still to come.
“Flacco’s idea of a wild night is ordering something he’s never tried off the dinner menu. When the phone rings late at night, General Manager Ozzie Newsome and [Head Coach] John Harbaugh never wonder if the call is about Flacco. If you’re going to give this kind of loot to anybody, give it to somebody who won’t let it go to his head. Flacco won’t. In fact, he’ll be even more determined to prove he was worth the investment. … He’s ahead of schedule recovering from knee surgery, he’s only 31 years old, and he’s had four different offensive coordinators since 2012. Give Flacco more weapons, and let him settle into the same system for a few years, and his best seasons should be ahead.” -- Clifton Brown, CSNMidatlantic.com
The Ravens need to hold on to Flacco for as long as possible.
“It took the Ravens 12 years to find a franchise quarterback, and Baltimore needs to keep him as long as possible. This new deal could allow Flacco to finish his career in Baltimore. … Flacco is not an elite quarterback like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers. But he's a Super Bowl-winning one. His regular-season statistics are often in the middle of the league. But his 104.1 passer rating in the playoffs since 2010 is the best of any quarterback with at least three starts over that time. The biggest reason for the Ravens to recommit to Flacco is the alternative. If you think Baltimore can do better than Flacco, look at the current options for quarterback-needy teams. The best options in free agency are an inexperienced Brock Osweiler and journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick. The top quarterbacks in the draft are an unproven talent from North Dakota State and a strong-armed passer with accuracy issues from Cal. This type of quarterback landscape is why the Philadelphia Eagles gave $26 million to Sam Bradford.” – Jamison Hensley, ESPN
Flacco should erect a statue of Joe Linta (his agent) in his front yard.
“[B]etween the $62 million Flacco earned from 2013-15, plus his 2016 signing bonus and base salary, that total amasses to $106 million in a four-year span. Wowsers. … Flacco should erect a statue to Linta outside his home. The NFLPA should consider a similar plan near their Washington, D.C., offices. But Flacco certainly has a strong overall pedigree and a superb postseason pedigree and has been durable and, at times, outstanding. Say what you want about Baltimore's deal with Flacco, but what Sam Bradford and Tom Condon pulled off on the Eagles is even more stupendous. When you compare what the player has accomplished with what he has earned and what he will continue to earn, no quarterback contract is more baffling to me.” – Jason La Canfora, CBSSports.com
No more contract restructuring will be necessary. Flacco could retire a Raven.
“The new Flacco deal has no such future moment at which a restructuring will become urgent. … Flacco is now under contract through the age of 37. It’s unlikely that he’ll be released for at least the next three years, given the dead money that would hit the cap if he’s cut prematurely. The cap numbers make it very likely that he’ll earn every dollar of the contract, with possibly one more deal coming that would carry him to retirement.” – Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk.com
Easy decision for both sides.
“The Ravens can now move forward with the comfort of knowing that their Super Bowl-winning quarterback is under contract through the 2021 season, and at a rate that is a little more forgiving on their salary cap going forward. … For Flacco’s part, the decision was a relatively easy one. He gets more money up front and more long-term security. Plus, the Ravens now have a little more cap room to play with as they attempt to address their cadre of needs following a 5-11 season.” – Jeff Zrebiec, The Baltimore Sun
Note to critics: you can’t value quarterbacks in a vacuum.
“To be clear, the Ravens didn’t get a favor from their longtime quarterback — he is now scheduled to be paid a whopping $125 million over the next six years — but they undid some of the cap damage from the first time around. The move wasn’t about any generosity from Flacco as much as it was about cooperation. … And at the end of day, teams who have quarterbacks — whether they’re future Hall of Famers, elite, or merely good enough to get you over the championship hump — must do what it takes to keep them. Critics will say the Ravens overpaid for Flacco’s services again — his regular-season statistics would say they’re correct — but you can’t value quarterbacks in a vacuum. Teams would rather have the right guy than to simply be right about how much to pay him. Just ask the Cleveland Browns.” – Luke Jones, WNST
The deal is a win-win for both Flacco and the Ravens. – John Eisenberg, Ravens Media
Flacco Celebrates In Sweatpants At Dunkin’ Donuts
This is quintessential Joe Flacco.
The man wore sweatpants – yes sweatpants – with a suit coat on top to his press conference announcing a record-setting NFL contract.
Flacco’s version of mullet (buisiness up front, party in back). He’s got suit up top and sweatpants on the bottom. pic.twitter.com/ieaR4x7Fje
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) March 2, 2016
Joe Flacco, in a blazer with pocket square, button-down and sweatpants, asks after presser, "Do you guys like my outfit?" #Ravens
— Jon Meoli (@JonMeoli) March 2, 2016
Then, instead of going to McDonald’s like he did last time to celebrate a $120 million contract, he stepped it up a notch and went to Dunkin’ Donuts to celebrate his $125 million contract. I have to say, Joe, that is an excellent choice. (And I’m not just saying that because Dunkin’ Donuts is the wonderful, wonderful sponsor of my blog.)
No McDonalds for @TeamFlacco this time after signing his new deal. We are at @DunkinBaltimore getting #someJoeforJoe pic.twitter.com/coUSANvzHD
— Chad Steele (@CSteele32) March 2, 2016
In case you missed it, Flacco was on a comedy tour after inking his deal. He was absolutely hilarious, and endearing, all afternoon. Take a look:
Does Osemele Stay Now?
Flacco’s contract has long been considered the first domino that had to fall before the Ravens could start making moves in free agency.
Next up on the priority list? Left tackle/guard
“With Flacco taken care of, the Ravens can fully focus on getting a deal done with a player who helps take care of the quarterback,” wrote NFL Media’s Dan Hanzus. “Standout guard Kelechi Osemele is an impending free agent who will command big dollars. We'll see if Flacco's new deal paves the way for Osemele's return.”
Flacco extension means Osemele is staying put, methinks.
— Doug Farrar (@SI_DougFarrar) March 2, 2016
Cuts Still Expected
Given the fact that the Ravens only saved about $6 million in cap space after Flacco’s new contract, the Ravens still don’t have a ton of room to maneuver.
It certainly helps, of course, but media still expect more cap casualties over the next several days.
Even with a little flexibility now, Ravens are still expected to make a few cuts. Won't have a ton of cap room but enough to be active.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiecsun) March 2, 2016
Trent Richardson On Back Burner For Now
It’s been several days since we learned the Ravens were interested in bringing former first-round running back Trent Richardson to Baltimore. Nothing has happened since.
Word was that he was supposed to be in town yesterday to take a physical, but it seems that the team is going to wait before working on a deal.
Sounds like there's nothing imminent on Trent Richardson front for Ravens. have other immediate matters to deal with; could still sign him
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiecsun) March 2, 2016
Quick Hits
Pen to paper, it's official! Joe Flacco is under contract through the 2021 season. https://t.co/upQWUqoE78
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 2, 2016
Just went down to the locker room... pic.twitter.com/gOueGD6wYe
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) March 2, 2016
Now under contract for the @Ravens through 2021...
— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2016
SNOW Flacco. https://t.co/X0lEgUeuR7
This guy bought my house at a "friend" discount 3 years ago Baltimore Ravens, Joe Flacco reach deal on extension https://t.co/FDuckxGAe0
— Matt Birk (@BirkMatt) March 2, 2016
Wow! @Ravens' @JForsett learns some fencing moves from @USAPentathlon! ⚔#RavensNation pic.twitter.com/26DOYQQ70d
— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) March 2, 2016
I just wanna thank God for blessing me to see another birthday. Getting old 24!
— Trenchwork94 (@Carldavis94) March 2, 2016
what up Bmore #innerharbor nothing like it. #charmcity #stevesmithsr #playlikearaven https://t.co/MV94oVUTsY pic.twitter.com/8yzn3CO0Vr
—Steve Smith Sr. (@89SteveSmith) March 2, 2016
