Joe Flacco’s trade makes sense for both the Broncos and the Ravens

TORONTO — The Baltimore Ravens will trade Joe Flacco to the Denver Broncos once the 2019 NFL season officially starts on March 17. That was the trade that the Ravens were looking for since Lamar Jackson became team’s starter last season. Besides that, this transaction also makes sense for the Broncos. 

By having Flacco under center, Denver will have a better offence than when Case Keenum was in charge in 2018. The former Ravens has more experience as a starter than Keenum. By the way, besides the 2017 season, Keenum has never shown signals that he can be a solid starter in the NFL. 

From 2013 to 2016, Keenum started in only 24 of 80 possible regular season games. Indeed, he was very good in 2017 when he totalled 11 wins, 22 touchdown passes, and seven interceptions in 14 games for the Vikings. However, a unique solid season in a below-average career doesn’t mean he’s a long-term leader. His career record now is 26-28 and the only team (out of four) he posted a winning record was the single year he played in Minnesota.

Since entering the league in 2008, Flacco has started 163 times, winning 96 games.

He might not be as elite as other quarterbacks in the NFL regarding stats and overall impact but has proved himself as a real starter. 

Remember that Flacco was named the Super Bowl XLVII MVP after one of the best postseason performances ever by a QB, when he didn’t turn the ball over totalling 11 passing TDs in Ravens’ four consecutive wins that culminated in the finale triumph against the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans.

Since the historic march to SBVLII, Flacco hasn’t performed at a high level.

In five of the last six seasons, he neither reached 20 touchdown passes nor finished a year throwing for more than 6.5 yards per attempt, which is a big downfall considering that league’s passers are increasing their production season by season.

Flacco’s contract is also an issue: $18.5 million in 2019, plus a total of $44.5 million valid for 2020 and 2021 (no guaranteed value).

But Keenum’s recent numbers, once again, are worse than Flacco’s.

Between 2012 and 2018, Keenum has averaged 3,554 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions per 16 games. During the same span, Flacco posted a 3,948 yds, 21 TDs, and 15 INTs per 16 games-average.

Also, the Broncos have declared they will move on from Keenum trying to trade him firstly, which means they can avoid the $18 million salary for 2019 ($7MM guaranteed). 

A new NFL season actually looks like an old one for Denver regarding what John Elway has experienced since Peyton Manning retired in 2015.

The Broncos are still looking for a solid starter at the quarterback position. They gave up on Keenum after one season and just traded for another option. A more experienced one. Better than his predecessor.