This is the End for Joe Flacco
By Scott Rogust
Last offseason, the Denver Broncos attempted to address their need at the quarterback position by acquiring Joe Flacco from the Baltimore Ravens. John Elway stressed that despite making the trade for the then-34-year-old signal caller, Flacco was "just going into his prime."
Well, after one season that saw him benched at the midway point of the campaign, the Broncos waived Flacco with a failed physical designation on Thursday. Now out of a job and with limited openings at QB across the league, his exit from Denver ultimately proves this is the end for the former Super Bowl XLVII MVP.
Broncos just informed former Super-Bowl MVP Joe Flacco that he is being waived with a failed physical designation, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2020
Flacco now joins a group of free-agent QBs looking for work.
Three Super Bowl MVPs in headlines this week: Flacco waived, Foles traded, TB to TB.
Former Super Bowl MVP signal callers have already found new homes. Tom Brady is taking his talents to Tampa Bay to join the Buccaneers, while Nick Foles was traded to the Chicago Bears. There's not going to be a market for Flacco.
Even though Elway believed that Flacco was still in his prime, his on-field performance didn't show it. Flacco played just eight games last season, and proved that he was a shell of his former self, throwing for 1,822 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions, leading the Broncos to a lowly 2-6 record.
Joe Flacco had 2 medical opinions on MRI exam of neck. He's been in Baltimore-area home and hasn't been checked out by Broncos medical team since season's end, at least not in person. But w/no more money guaranteed in contract. Broncos able to release him. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) March 19, 2020
He was shelved in favor of Drew Lock due to a neck injury, but Flacco always seemed destined to be benched by head coach Vic Fangio. In his absence, the Broncos saw great things from Lock, who proved that he has a future under center in the Mile High City.
It's hard to envision Flacco drawing much interest on the open market considering the younger and more talented options still available. Flacco doesn't have much left in the tank, and after being ousted by the Broncos, the writing is on the wall for his retirement.