The Baltimore Ravens have agreed in principle to trade quarterback Joe Flacco to the Denver Broncos. Thanks to the trade, Baltimore actually has slightly better odds of winning Super Bowl LIV, according to Bovada.
The trade is reported to be worth a mid-round selection from the Broncos. But the reason the Ravens are seeing an uptick in their Super Bowl odds likely has more to do with the salary cap savings.
Baltimore will gain an estimated $10 million in cap space for 2019 by trading Flacco. While usually trading an experienced quarterback hurts a team’s odds, the Ravens had already moved on from Flacco to Lamar Jackson last season. At best, Flacco was going to enter the 2019 season as Jackson’s backup. Far more likely, was going to be cut if Baltimore couldn’t find a trade partner.
By freeing up a little more cap space for 2019 and far more in 2020 and 2021, as well as gaining draft equity, the Ravens have given themselves a better chance to grab talent at positions where they need it.
