COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — The Baltimore Ravens have agreed in principle to trade longtime quarterback Joe Flacco to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a mid-round pick, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The trade cannot be finalized until March 13, when the new league year begins.
Breaking: Baltimore has agreement in principle to trade former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to the Broncos, league sources told ESPN.
Trade cannot be processed until new NFL league year begins Wednesday, March 13. Teams prohibited from commenting on deal or terms surrounding it.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 13, 2019
Flacco was drafted by the Ravens in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He led the team to at least one playoff victory during each of his first five seasons in the NFL, and became the first rookie quarterback to win two playoff games.
Flacco went on to have one of the best postseason quarterback stretches of all-time during the 2012 playoffs, throwing for an NFL-record 11 touchdowns in the postseason, which culminated with the Ravens hoisting the Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl Champions. Flacco earned Super Bowl MVP honors.
After that historic postseason, Flacco signed a six-year contract that at the time made him the highest paid player in NFL history. Since that deal, the team’s success has been less than ideal, with the Ravens only making it to the playoffs once over the next five seasons.
During the 2018 NFL Draft, the Ravens used their first-round selection on former Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, hinting that the team was planning to go in a different direction at the position in the future.
While Flacco began the season as Baltimore’s starting quarterback, he injured his hip midway through the season, paving the way for Jackson. Flacco never got his job back; Jackson led the Ravens to a 6-1 record to finish the season and a playoff berth.
While a trade was imminent, the news that Flacco would be going to Denver was surprising.
Some of Flacco’s new Broncos teammates reacted.
— Emmanuel Sanders (@ESanders_10) February 13, 2019
WOW!!!
— Joe Jones (@FamilyMan_Joe43) February 13, 2019
Both current and former NFL players weighed in about the trade.
— Matt Barkley (@MattBarkley) February 13, 2019
I’m pretty sure he asked to be traded…where’s the uproar? https://t.co/REDziFzg5c
— Damon Harrison Sr. (@snacks) February 13, 2019
Happy for my guy! https://t.co/RjfeWkVuSw
— Kyle Juszczyk (@JuiceCheck44) February 13, 2019
So it’s wasn’t Vance Joesph fault!!! ? https://t.co/SFwRWo33Zt
— Maurice Jones-Drew (@MJD) February 13, 2019
How do Flacco’s old teammates feel about the trade?
Just want to give a S/O to Joe Flacco, true pro. Couldn’t ask for a better guy in the locker room. How he carried/conducted himself even when things weren’t always in favor – It takes a true pro to do that and I’ll always respect him. Congrats broncos got a good one. Best of luck
— Tony Jefferson (@_tonyjefferson) February 13, 2019
— Smokey Brown (@Jwalk_back12) February 13, 2019
— Fruit PUNCH (@marlon_humphrey) February 13, 2019
But not all of Flacco’s teammates seem concerned with the trade news.
Dog just ate half a ledos pizza out the trash bra
— Tavon Young (@NLtyoung) February 13, 2019