Baltimore Ravens fans are still celebrating the contract extension of running back Ray Rice. Late Monday, Rice inked a new 5-year deal for $40 million. Now that the Rice deal is done, the Ravens have shifted their focus to quarterback Joe Flacco.
Will the Ravens extend Flacco’s contract before training camp begins on July 25? This is the next big question and there are conflicting reports about whether or not this will happen.
Today NFL.com reported that the Ravens have a ’75 percent chance’ of a new deal before training camp. Signing Flacco to a new deal is their next priority.
Flacco is in the last year of his rookie contract; he is due a $6.76 million base salary after a $5.4 million escalator clause.
The Ravens quarterback has established himself as a top ten quarterback in the National Football League. He should expect to be paid top dollar since he has taken the Ravens to the playoffs each of the four seasons he’s been with the team.
Conflicting news came when Baltimoreravens.com reported that The Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson, spoke with Flacco’s agent, Joe Linta who contradicted the report.
“Joe is very, very excited for the season,” Linta said. “He’s really adamant about getting the Ravens to the next step. “The contract at this point is secondary to that goal. Joe has the attitude that he’ll earn it.”
It is unknown how much Flacco expects to be paid. Linta said that they will keep the lines of communication open and continue negotiations.
I was surprised to hear that the Ravens may ink a new deal with Flacco before the start of training camp. It would be great if they could iron this out before the season, but it’s ok if it doesn’t happen.
Whether it is now or later, Flacco will get paid by the Ravens. He is the best quarterback the franchise has ever had and I wholeheartedly believe that the organization will take care of him. They just took care of Rice; Flacco will have his day too.
Zennie Abraham