Joe Flacco open to restructuring contract for Ravens

Is Joe Flacco an elite quarterback? The conversation rages on, but the Baltimore Ravens leader is certainly getting paid like one. Flacco, however, has said he is open to helping the team’s financial situation.

According to ESPN’s Jamison Henley, Flacco told WBAL Radio he’s willing to restructure his contract to avoid what Spotrac lists as a $28.55 million cap hit next season.

“I want to win, so I want to do everything we can to get something done. I don’t know exactly what that is or exactly what that’s going to be because we haven’t talked about it yet. But I know that that’s a huge number and it’s not really realistic.”

Although the salary cap is headed into the $150 million range in 2016, devoting more than one-sixth of the payroll to Flacco — who is recovering from a left ACL tear — would be trouble for a team in need of new pieces.

“We need wide receivers,” head coach John Harbaugh said after the 5-11 season, per the team’s official site. “We’re looking at corners. I wouldn’t mind having a safety. We need pass rushers, more than one.”

Fortunately, the Ravens only have a few starters on expiring contracts. Veteran guard Marshal Yanda, linebacker Courtney Upshaw, left tackle Kelechi Osemele, kicker Justin Tucker and receiver Kamar Aiken each need a new deal, but that’s a manageable group to re-sign.

So that will allow Baltimore to be active in free agency. And a restructure to Flacco’s contract would free up extra millions, and could be beneficial for him as well.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo did something similar last year, converting base salary into a signing bonus later on. Though that’s not necessarily the same as taking a hometown discount, especially if Flacco turns that deferred payment into extra years and guaranteed money.

By restructuring, Flacco would help the team upgrade the roster and build an even more secure financial future for himself. That’s a win-win.

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