The Denver Broncos have agreed to trade for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who crushed the Broncos’ 2012 championship dreams in a spectacular AFC division playoff performance. In exchange for Flacco, the Ravens are expected to receive a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft.
It is a clear financial gain for the Ravens. On the inside, the Baltimore franchise saves $18.5 million in cash in 2019. From the outside, the Ravens increase $10.5 million in salary cap space this upcoming season.
Obviously, Flacco will replace Case Keenum as the Broncos starting quarterback. Will it be an upgrade to justify an as yet undetermined hit to cap space and the Denver club’s cash balance?
That depends on two things. First, will Flacco stay healthy and productive? Second, will Broncos GM John Elway succeed in trading Keenum or have him accept a significant haircut of his guaranteed $7 million salary this year to serve as a backup?
Flacco injured his hip in the Ravens’ Week 9 game of the 2018 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 4. He also had a serious concussion on Oct. 26, 2017, in a Ravens game against the Miami Dolphins.
Because of his injuries and a poor supporting cast over the past four years, Flacco played 51 games, winning only 24.
But if Flacco can stay free of debilitating injuries, the Broncos may be able to tap into to his earlier historic consistency. He started in 16 games for 9 of his 11 seasons. In addition to being the Super Bowl XLVII MVP, he has won 10 postseason games, the second-highest total among active quarterbacks behind New England Patriots Tom Brady and Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger.
A necessary factor for 34 years-old Flacco’s good health is an improved Broncos offensive line. The team has an outstanding offensive line coach in Mike Munchak. The question is whether Elway will yield better offensive tackles and guards in the free agency market and draft.
Flacco performed much better when Gary Kubiak was the Ravens’ offensive coordinator. In 2014 with Kubiak coaching him, Flacco had 27 touchdowns against 12 intercepts. New Broncos’ offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello ran a Kubiak-like West Coast system as the quarterbacks coach with the San Francisco 49ers. New head coach Vic Fangio is familiar with Flacco having spent a season with the Ravens with him as the starting quarterback.
At the right salary, Keenum would be a prized backup quarterback, having started since Week 2 of the 2017 NFL season. But if he is cut, the Broncos will have to absorb $10 million in dead money.
There are many more pieces to fall into place before an assessment can be made to determine if the acquisition of Flacco improves the Broncos’ chances of gaining a playoff berth in 2019. At the moment, though, in exchange for a mid-round pick, Denver looks better improved at QB.
If the offensive line comes together and Flacco can stay healthy, it’s not unreasonable to belive the Broncos could return to the postseason in 2019.
