After the Broncos traded for Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, general manager John Elway said Flacco is still “very young” at the position he plays. That seemed like a curious statement given that the QB is 34 years old.
If Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is an example of how long a QB can remain productive, though, Flacco could have six more years left. Brady seems to be more of an outlier than a trend, though.
Flacco would probably love to follow in Brady’s footsteps and Denver coach Vic Fangio seems to believe the QB has the body to do so.
“I think there’s a lot left with Joe,” Fangio said at the NFL owners meetings on Tuesday. “Joe’s got an athletic body. I don’t think he’s got a body that will slowly break down. Now, that’s not to say he can’t get injured, but some bodies last longer naturally than others. I think he’s got a body that can last a long time.
“He throws the ball with ease, meaning it’s just natural. There’s not a lot of torque, so I think his arm strength has not wavered one bit since he came into the league. And he’s hungry. Joe wants to do well. I think a lot of players, they lose their stinger before they lose their talent, and Joe’s stinger is still sharp.”
Peyton Manning was 36 (two years older than Flacco is now) when he arrived in Denver in 2012 and he went on to play four more years before retiring. If the Broncos can get four years out of Flacco and return to the Super Bowl, Elway will have made an excellent trade.
