Redskins were reportedly interested in Joe Flacco before Broncos trade

The Washington Redskins have suddenly found themselves searching for a starting quarterback this offseason in the wake of Alex Smith’s devastating leg injury, and they reportedly tried to acquire one earlier in the week.

According to Darren McKee of 104.3 The Fan, the Denver Broncos were forced to move quickly to acquire Joe Flacco from the Baltimore Ravens because there was another team expressing interest. That team was the Redskins.

.@dmac1043 on @1043TheFan Friday regarding the Broncos trade for Joe Flacco: "The reason why they had to make the deal was because of the Washington Redskins. The Redskins were interested and they were going to make a play for Joe Flacco." https://t.co/vIcbyG4vs2

— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) February 17, 2019

Flacco has a salary cap hit of around $26 million next season, while Smith’s number is $20 million. That means the Redskins would have had to invest nearly $50 million between Flacco, Smith and a backup quarterback, which at the moment is Colt McCoy and his $4 million salary. Would they have actually been willing to do that?

Washington president Bruce Allen has said he feels the team is close to contention, so it’s not unrealistic to think they would have found a way to clear the financial hurdles. However, it’s also possible the Ravens used the Redskins for leverage against the Broncos.

If the latest reports we have heard about Smith are accurate, Washington still needs to find a solution at quarterback. A less expensive one than Flacco seems like the more likely outcome.