Joe Flacco is scheduled to be a free agent after the season, and he reportedly is seeking a big payday from the Baltimore Ravens.
ESPN’s John Clayton reported Monday on “SportsCenter” that Flacco has made a case to earn $20 million per year and is seeking Drew Brees money. Clayton says Flacco was seeking about $17 million per season last year when the two sides were unable to agree on a new deal. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reportedly agreed that a $20 million per year figure is “not unreachable” for Flacco.
Brees signed a five-year, $100 million deal with the New Orleans Saints before the season.
Another report seems to confirm how much Flacco is seeking.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday on “Total Access” that Flacco’s camp believes he is playing better than Peyton Manning, who signed a five-year, $96 million deal with the Denver Broncos and earned $20 million this season.
Did the Ravens beat the Broncos in the playoffs? Yes, but Flacco has not demonstrated anywhere near the kind of regular season consistency and success of Peyton Manning or Drew Brees.
Maybe Flacco’s representatives will bank on his postseason stats — he has won six playoff games on the road — during their negotiations. GM Ozzie Newsome has said Flacco’s play in the Super Bowl won’t impact contract talks, but you better believe his price will go up if the team wins it all.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Ravens use the franchise tag on Flacco after the season, because I can’t imagine them shelling out the kind of money Brees and Manning got.
Via Rotoworld
