The Baltimore Ravens ensured quarterback Joe Flacco will remain in Baltimore by reaching a deal with the Super Bowl MVP, according to a report FOX Sports' Jay Glazer. He will sign the contract Monday.
Joe Flacco, Ravens agree to new contract, per report
As expected, the Baltimore Ravens designed Joe Flacco as their franchise player. The move will likely keep Flacco in Baltimore next season, but it will cost the Ravens.
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The contract agreement comes just a few days before the Monday deadline to apply franchise tags to players. Had the team been unable to reach a long-term agreement with Flacco, he likely would’ve received the tag, ensuring that the team had more time to negotiate a long-term deal. However, that was not necessary as they were able to reach an agreement prior to the deadline.
Prior to the contract agreement, Flacco was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after playing out his rookie contract. Flacco and the Ravens discussed a long-term extension last offseason, with the 28-year-old quarterback ultimately deciding to play out the season, gambling that his price tag would go up. After leading the Ravens to their second Super Bowl championship, Flacco's gamble paid off.
Details of the contract have not yet been reported, but Flacco was reportedly asking for $17 million per season last offseason. It would be surprising if he received a figure close to that, as Flacco was reportedly seeking a contract that would pay him upward of $20 million per season. That deal would put Flacco among the highest-paid players in NFL history. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees currently has the highest-average salary in the NFL at $20 million per season.
Flacco set a career-high for passing yards last season with 3,817 yards, but his performance in the postseason is one of the main reasons he’s on his way to becoming one of the NFL’s highest paid. Flacco averaged 9.05 yards per attempt in four playoff games, throwing 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. He finished the postseason with a passer rating of 117.2, more than 30 points higher than his career regular season passer rating of 86.3.
The Ravens have made the playoffs in each of Flacco’s five seasons in Baltimore. He’s started all 13 playoff games, leading the Ravens to a 9-4 record in the postseason.
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