After winning the Super Bowl in 2012 Joe Flacco was rewarded with, what was then, the most lucrative deal in NFL history. The $120.6 million-dollar deal was spread out over six years, and was clearly a huge reward for the reigning Super Bowl MVP for his services.
In an attempt to clear up some cap space, the Ravens signed Flacco to 3-year, $66.4 million contract extension. This deal includes the highest signing bonus in NFL history, $40 million. This restructuring keeps Flacco with the Ravens until 2021, while allowing them more wiggle room in regards to their salary cap. This was clearly another reward for Flacco, but this one was a bit more confusing.
The Ravens went 5-11 last season with Flacco playing in only ten games before tearing his ACL. It was the first time in the Flacco era the Ravens were under .500.
Over the past three seasons Flacco has thrown 60 touchdowns, and 46 interceptions, not exactly stats you would think inspire the largest signing bonus in NFL history. However, the Ravens are now committed to Flacco until 2021, and paying some serious money for his services, so they are clearly hoping he can come back from injury, and mediocre play, and become the Joe Flacco of old.
Joe Flacco has proven he can play at an elite level with the Ravens in the past, he just needs the right weapons. Players that can help Flacco include 27-year old wide receiver Kamar Aiken, who had a career year last year with 75 catches, 944 yards, and five touchdowns. Alongside him is the suddenly un-retired Steve Smith Sr., who saw his Achilles tendon rip in November, knocking him out for the season. Smith is like fine wine, and only gets better as he ages. If he is fully recovered for the beginning of the 2016 season Flacco will have two legitimate receiving threats to work with.
Justin Forsett, who also played only ten games, will be a key contributor in the ground game, and should be in line for another thousand-yard season.
Flacco, Smith, and Forsett all suffered major injuries in 2016 for the Ravens. Now that they are all recovering, and on track to start the 2016 season, Flacco can prove he is worth this massive extension.
The weaponry is there, the ability is there, Flacco merely needs to take hold of it. With great coaching in John Harbaugh, a much improved defense than last year, the Ravens should be able to push for a playoff spot in 2016. How far the Ravens go will fall onto Flacco’s tall shoulders, as it always has throughout his career. The 31-year old quarterback is now the second highest paid player in NFL history, behind only Andrew Luck, time to see if he can live up to this massive extension and prove that he is an elite level quarterback.
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