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Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco will have a bounce back 2018 season

By Jake McDonnell

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 16: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens stand under center against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half of the preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 16, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 16: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens stand under center against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half of the preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 16, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Flacco won’t go down easy

It’s been reported that Flacco has not yet reached out to Jackson, which should not come as a surprise. In January, owner Steve Bisciotti said that the Ravens “had bigger fish to fry” before drafting a quarterback in 2018. The Ravens went back on their word, which probably infuriated Flacco. Selecting Jackson with the 32nd overall pick was probably just as big of a shock to Flacco as it was to Ravens fans. When Flacco eventually speaks to the media, questions about the new quarterback in town will come. Flacco will play it off as he always does, but every time a reporter asks a question pertaining to Jackson, it will light a fire.

Another fact people need to remember is that Flacco has never had a high-profile backup quarterback like Jackson. The list of quarterbacks that have backed up Flacco – Marc Bulger, Matt Schaub, Ryan Mallett, John Beck – is extremely underwhelming, with Tyrod Taylor being the best of the bunch. Now, the Ravens have a first-round quarterback waiting in the wings behind Flacco, and the 33-year-old gets the message.

Flacco tossed 11 touchdowns and no interceptions during the 2012 playoffs knowing that it would be Ray Lewis‘s last ride. He’s performed well in stressful situations before, and will be punished if he does not come through in 2018. Another fact that people forget is that Flacco has never actually had to compete for his job.

The Bottom Line:

After Flacco was drafted 18th overall by the Ravens in 2008, he won the starting quarterback job by default when Kyle Boller suffered a season-ending injury and Troy Smith went down with an illness. Flacco played well enough to keep the job, and the rest is history. Now with the proclaimed “future” in Jackson second on the depth chart, Flacco will play his heart out and force the Ravens to make a difficult decision after the 2018 season.

Next: Baltimore Ravens preview: Mark Andrews

If he can stay healthy, Flacco will play better in 2018. Drafting Jackson pumped some life back into the Ravens’ fanbase, and Jackson will get a shot in the future to show what he can do. But, this is still Flacco’s team, and he will once again lead the Ravens onto the field in week 1 with a whole new set of toys to play with. The pressure is certainly on Flacco, but he will deliver in 2018. Where the Ravens go from there, whether it’s with Flacco or Jackson, will be up to the coaching staff and front office.

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