Joe Flacco (Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Joe Flacco is about to call Mile High home.
The Baltimore Ravens have reportedly agreed to trade the veteran quarterback to the Denver Broncos, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal can’t be officially completed until the 2019 league year begins at 4 p.m. on March 13. According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, the Ravens are expected to get a draft pick in the fourth-round range in return.
It’s a major quarterback shake-up in the AFC, as the Broncos add a veteran starter and former Super Bowl MVP. Flacco is the only active QB in the AFC to beat the Patriots in the playoffs since the 2011 season; he joins the only team to beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game since 2013.
The impending trade is also a vote of confidence from the Ravens in Lamar Jackson, their soon-to-be-sophomore signal caller who started the final eight games of the 2018 season, including the wild card round against the Chargers. Jackson completed 92-of-158 passes (58.2 percent) for 1,114 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions in 7 regular season starts as a rookie.
Per Spotrac, the Ravens are set to absorb a $16 million dead cap hit by trading Flacco. But he was set for a $26.5 million cap hit, so by designating him as a pre-June 1 trade, they’ll end up saving $10.5 million against the cap with the move.
As for real-life money, Flacco is set to earn $18.5 million in 2019, $20.25 million in 2020, and $24.25 million in 2021 for the Broncos, who will lean on him while they continue their search for their next long-term franchise QB.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.