The Ravens have agreed to trade QB Joe Flacco to the Broncos.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Joe Flacco has gone from Denver Broncos tormentor to savior.
The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to trade the veteran quarterback to the Broncos in exchange for a fourth-round pick in this year's NFL draft, a person with knowledge of the agreement told the Associated Press.
NFL rules prohibit teams from discussing trades until the start of the league year on March 13.
Flacco, the MVP of the 2013 Super Bowl following a miraculous win at top-seeded Denver, became expendable in Baltimore with the emergence of rookie Lamar Jackson, the former Louisville star who led the Ravens into the playoffs after Flacco got hurt.
The Broncos again needed an upgrade at QB after Case Keenum's middling debut in Denver, where a 6-10 finish led general manager John Elway to turn to Vic Fangio, his fourth head coach in six seasons.
Now, he has landed his seventh quarterback since Peyton Manning's retirement following Denver's win in Super Bowl 50.
Flacco, 34, has three years and $63 million left on his contract with a salary of $18.5 million next season, which is 10thhighest in the NFL at his position. His cap hit of that same amount is 21st among quarterbacks in the league.
The Broncos could trade Keenum and save $18 million next season. Releasing him would produce $11 million in savings but cost them $7 million. Keenum signed a two-year, $36 million deal in Denver last season with $25 million guaranteed.
Facilitating the deal for Flacco was the extra fourth-round pick Elway had at his disposal from the Demaryius Thomas trade to the Texans last fall.
The Ravens went 106-72 with Flacco as a starter, including the postseason. He is the team career leader in attempts (5,670), completions (3,499), yards (38,245) and touchdowns (212). His 10 playoff wins since 2008 rank second behind Tom Brady among active quarterbacks.
Chiefs owner Hunt fills McNair’s spot
Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt is replacing the late Texans owner Bob McNair as head of the NFL's influential financial committee.
Hunt has been on the committee for seven years. McNair died in November.
Jaguars sign Lambo to a four-year deal
Place-kicker Josh Lambo has signed a four-year contract extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars, keeping him from hitting free agency next month.
Lambo set a franchise record for consecutive made field goals last season. He converted 24 straight between Nov. 19, 2017 and Nov. 11, 2018.
In 2018, he made 19 of 21 field goals and became the first in Jaguars history to post consecutive seasons with a field goal rate of at least 90 percent.
Odds and ends
Emmitt Thomas, who was born in Angleton 75 years ago, announced his retirement as the defensive backs coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, ending an NFL career that began as a Hall of Fame player and wound up spanning five decades. … Defensive end Steven Means has signed a one-year contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons after making four starts in 2018. … The Detroit Lions have resigned long snapper Don Muhlbach, keeping him on the roster for a 16th season. … The San Francisco 49ers have released offensive lineman Garry Gilliam, who spent the past two seasons as a backup swing tackle.