Before the 2012-2013 NFL season, Joe Flacco turned down numerous contract extension offers from the Baltimore Ravens. Fans started to question his ability to be an elite quarterback in this league.
This past season, Flacco threw for 3,817 yards, 22 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions with an 87.7 quarterback rating. Those stats are quite surprising despite the “Is Joe Flacco elite?” talks. Ever since Flacco came into the league, his numbers have risen tremendously.
He completed merely 14 touchdown passes in his first season as a Raven and increased his numbers in every quarterback category since. His best season before this title run was in 2010, when Flacco and the Ravens fell short in the AFC Divisional Round to their rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. He completed 25 touchdowns and had a quarterback rating of 93.6, the best of his career.
Some fans say Joe Flacco has it easy because he can rely on his ball-hawking defense and Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice. But NFL quarterbacks have to step up at some point, and this past season was his year to shine. He led his team to four playoff wins, including a wild ending versus Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos with a Hail Mary to Jacoby Jones. He then led his team into Foxborough against the savvy Tom Brady and came out victorious. Finally, Flacco helped the Ravens secure a victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII and received the game’s MVP trophy.
Drafted in the first round in 2008 from the University of Delaware, Flacco became the team’s starting quarterback from day one. He has thrown 102 touchdown passes in 80 career games as a Baltimore Raven. His team has been on the top of the AFC North twice during his career and has made three appearances in the AFC Championship Game.
Joe Flacco deserves to get paid because he is an elite quarterback in the NFL today.
As first reported by Foxsports.com, the Ravens took care of the most demanding offseason need. They awarded their Super Bowl XLVII MVP to a six-year, $120.6 million deal. Flacco signed his contract on Monday and became the highest paid player in NFL history.
Flacco was set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 12. Let’s hope that all of the “Is Joe Flacco elite?” questions will simmer down since he has finally won a championship.
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kseabro1@ramapo.edu
