Joe Flacco’s new contract reportedly will make him highest paid player ever

Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens agreed on a new contract that the Super Bowl-winning quarterback will sign on Monday, FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reports.

Flacco’s contract situation has been a big topic of conversation around the NFL the past few years. The two sides were unable to reach agreement on a new deal the past two offseasons, leading Flacco to play last season as a contract year. He then had about as strong of a postseason as possible, ensuring that the Ravens would have to empty the vault to keep him longterm. They apparently have done that.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the deal between Flacco and the Ravens is for six years and $120.6 million. Schefter says the deal edges out Drew Brees’ five-year, $100 million contract signed before last season, making Flacco the highest-paid player in NFL history.

Despite his phenomenal postseason, most people would not consider Flacco the top player in the NFL, even though he is getting paid that way. However, Flacco is only 28, and he is entering his sixth season in the league, so it’s possible he’s just hitting his prime.

The big question, as is always the case with NFL contracts, is what kind of guarantees the contract calls for. As we’ve seen many times in the past (look at the contracts of Albert Haynesworth and Mike Vick for example), players can sign monster deals but get cut midway through the contract and never realize the entire amount.

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