Joe Flacco is currently in negotiations with the Baltimore Ravens for a new contract after winning the Super Bowl and based on reports, the quarterback is looking to become one of the highest paid players in the NFL at about $20 million per season.
According to ESPN.com, Flacco's new deal will not be impacted by the new extension that Tom Brady signed, but there is a chance the team could ask him for some type of discount to help with the salary cap numbers heading into next year. After winning the Super Bowl, Flacco would like to be paid like one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, including Drew Brees, who makes $20 million, as well as Peyton Manning, who makes $19.2 with the Broncos.
Flacco is 28-years-old and the Ravens are in a different position then the Patriots, who worked with Brady to give him a three-year, $27 million extension that helps lower the teams cap numbers for next season. The Patriots might be able to use the money to bring back wideout Wes Welker, or there is a chance they could use it later down the line in free agency.
The Ravens will be tempted to ask Flacco for a discount, but there is no reason why Flacco and his agent should give in, as they bet on themselves earlier in the year by rejecting an extension. Flacco ended up winning the Super Bowl in his walk year and now he wants to be paid like a Super Bowl winning quarterback.
Flacco was actually one of the lowest paid quarterbacks last season at $6.7 million and he turned that inot a Super Bowl MVP performance against the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans. Although Flacco is not on the same skill level as Brady, that won't stop him from wanting to be the highest paid quarterback in the NFL.
The Ravens would love to ask him t take a discount, as they have a number of players they feel they need to keep, including Ed Reed, Paul Kruger and Super Bowl hero Jacoby Jones, who returned a kick a playoff record 108-yards for a touchdown in the game. The team also needs to bring back Anquan Boldin at wide receiver to keep Flacco's weapons in the barn.
Flacco has made it clear that he wants to be the highest paid quarterback, but there's a chance he will force the Ravens to sacrifice winning to be that quarterback. The team doesn't have a ton of money to work with under the cap and they know they need to sign Flacco.
Brady has proven to be a team player by working out this new deal and he will now basically double the guaranteed money he is over the next few years by making up to $57 million. Flacco's deal isn't directly affected by Brady's, but it brings up the question of how much Flacco is worth based on what the team needs to do.
If the Ravens want to repeat as champions, they will have to find a way to bring Flacco back at a price that won't cripple the team from making any other moves or resigning the important players they need.
