Flacco reportedly headed to Broncos
Joe Flacco has gone from a Denver Broncos tormentor to perhaps their savior.
The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to trade the veteran quarterback to the Broncos for a fourthround pick in this year’s NFL draft, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Wednesday because neither team announced the deal, which was first reported by ESPN. 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.
The others all bombed: draft picks Brock Osweiler, Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly, trade acquisition Mark Sanchez and Keenum, who threw for 18 TDS and a careerhigh 15 interceptions last season to go with a career-high 34 sacks.
Flacco has three years and $63 million left on his contract with a salary of $18.5 million next season, which is the 10th-highest 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 twoyear, $36 million deal in Denver last season with $25 million guaranteed.
Maryland gov. exits ’Skins stadium talk
Gov. Larry Hogan has abandoned talks to persuade the Washington Redskins to build its next stadium on a Maryland site owned by the federal government.
Hogan’s decision and Virginia’s lack of interest leaves Redskins owner Daniel Snyder with one suitor — the District of Columbia. His first choice is Washington’s RFK Stadium site. The Redskins can’t leave Fedex Field in Landover, Maryland, until September 2027.