In a Rare Offseason Blockbuster, Ravens to Trade QB Joe Flacco to the Broncos

Vic Fangio will have a Super Bowl winning quarterback leading the charge in his first season as Denver Broncos head coach.

The quarterback carousel in Denver has come to a stop, at least for the time being. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Broncos and Ravens have agreed to a deal that will send Joe Flacco to Denver. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport chimes in with a report that the Broncos are sending a pick in the middle rounds back to Baltimore. All things considered, that’s not a bad return for Flacco, a quarterback whose replacement led the team to the playoffs in his absence.

On the surface, Flacco is an upgrade at the position. He has a first-round pedigree, eight seasons with 3,000+ passing yards, and 15 games of postseason experience (with a 10-5 record in those games, to boot!). But a brief dive into the numbers sets off various warning sirens.

Flacco enters his age 34 season after an injury plagued 2018 and is only getting more expensive with salaries of $18.5 million and $20.3 million coming his way in 2019 and 2020, respectively. And while he has been a virtual lock for 3,000 passing yards, his production has come as a volume thrower. Flacco hasn’t thrown for at least 7.0 yards per attempt since 2014 and has averaged 6.3 yards per throw since the start of the 2015 season. Statistically speaking, there is a case to be made that Flacco isn’t much of an upgrade from incumbent Case Keenum, whose 6.9 yards per attempted throw beats out Flacco’s numbers.

Speaking of Keenum:

Now that the Broncos have Flacco on the way, they can begin shopping a similar player making a fraction of the price to teams in search of a short-term bridge quarterback option or possible backup. Once Keenum is out the door, that will put an end to his reign as the solution to Denver’s quarterbacking problems.

That is, of course, until the NFL Draft rolls around and the team selects its potential franchise quarterback in April.

DraftAnalyst.com’s Tony Pauline has the Broncos taking Missouri’s Drew Lock with the 10th pick in the upcoming draft, something the signs have been indicating since the Shrine Game. That’s some early draft-related smoke. But you know what they say … Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And if anyone knows what it looks like for the young draft pick with upside to take over for the aging veteran on the downside of his career, it’s probably Fangio after watching the transition from Mike Glennon to Mitch Trubisky.

For what it’s worth, this was the result the last time Flacco threw a pass in Denver:

https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/status/1095725167337066502

That touchdown helped eliminate the heavily favored Broncos and pushed Peyton Manning’s quest for a second Super Bowl back another season. And to rub salt in the wound, Flacco’s Ravens would go on to hoist the Lombardi Trophy that season with the quarterback winning Super Bowl MVP honors. For the Broncos’ sake, I hope time heals all wounds.

Between the Fangio connection and the Broncos being on the Bears’ schedule in 2019, we have ample reason to keep our eyes on what happens out by the Rocky Mountains this year.

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

Latest News

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

How to Watch Braves vs. Phillies: Live Stream or on TV

The Atlanta Braves, with Spencer Strider on the mound, take on the Philadelphia Phillies (who will counter with Zack Wheeler) in their opening game of the season, at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.Keep reading to find out all the details...

Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

On Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, and Jonas Valančiūnas' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trey.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

What Would be the Best Draw for the Chicago Bulls in the Play-In Tournament?

Nine games stand between the Chicago Bulls and the Play-In Tournament. I know ... yippie! Practically locked into the No. 9 seed, this puts them in line to host the No. 10 seed at the United Center in Round 1....

Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks begin their season as -226 favorites in a home tilt against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID.Arizona's Zac Gallen and Colorado's Kyle Freeland have been named the starters for this contest.Diamondbacks...

Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Seattle Mariners start their season as home favorites (-155) in a matchup with the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN from T-Mobile Park.Seattle's Luis Castillo and Boston's Brayan Bello have been named the...

Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians look to start their season with a win as road favorites (-145) in a season-opening matchup with the Oakland Athletics. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET on NBCS-CA, live from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Cleveland's Shane...

more bears news