With legitimate competition behind him, Joe Flacco should be motivated more than ever heading into the 2018 season.
Tyrod Taylor and Keith Wenning. What do those two names have in common? Since Joe Flacco’s arrival to Baltimore in 2008, these are the only two quarterbacks the Ravens have drafted since.
Until now.
After 10 years of comfortability under center, Flacco has his first real competition. The Ravens made the splash move to trade back into the first round of the draft and select Lamar Jackson. In Ozzie Newsome‘s last draft as general manager, he made sure to go out with a bang.
For what seems like the first time in his NFL career, Joe Flacco is expendable. With no guaranteed money left on his contract next season, it seems like the writing is on the wall. While head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg labeled Flacco as the starter without question, fans will be clamoring for Jackson every time No. 5 throws an interception or makes a mistake.
Change isn’t always a happy time. Just look at Ben Roethlisberger, who’s publicly expressed his displeasure with the Steelers drafting Mason Rudolph. But this shouldn’t be a drama-filled campaign for Flacco and the Ravens. He should be motivated more than ever to play his best football this season.
I’m not here to bash Flacco but I understand the decline in production since the Super Bowl win and his contract extension. There’s no question he hasn’t been the same quarterback since but after falling one game short of the postseason the last two years, the Ravens still believe they’re a team that can win now. It’s why they’ve invested a wealth of resources into an entirely new pass-catching department.
Jackson has come into the situation humble. That’s been evident throughout the early process. But make no mistake, this is a player who wants to make an impact and show off his impressive skill set at the next level. He’s ready to do that whenever called upon.
Much like Alex Smith posted a career year last season with Patrick Mahomes breathing down his neck, I hope Flacco can reap the same benefits. He’s finally healthy heading into training camp and there are no excuses this time around with the number of weapons at his disposal.
Can this team still win with Joe Flacco? Yes. And I hope that he enters a new season with a chip on his shoulder, motivated to bring the Ravens back to the playoffs.
Next: Baltimore Ravens: Post-draft 53-man roster predictions
After all, it’s his job to lose.