Evans: Sorting through the Denver Broncos trade for Joe Flacco
Feb 13, 2019, 8:18 PM
Having had some time to sit and digest the Joe Flacco trade, it’s not as bad as it first seemed.
» Initially, I didn’t like the deal.
It felt like Denver Broncos general manager John Elway was being irresponsible. Going all in on Flacco, who has three years left on a deal with $63 million on it.
I didn’t feel he was being honest about this football team. I don’t feel this team is close to being a 10-win, competitive playoff team. I feel it’s closer to being a rebuilding team.
Going after Flacco felt like Elway was being too reckless and overrating his team.
» The key here is Flacco really has only one year left on his deal.
There is an out after this season with no guaranteed money, so the Broncos can move on from him if they so desire.
» In that regard, the swap of Case Keenum for Flacco is a good move.
The Broncos are giving up one of their two fourth-round picks for Flacco. The veteran is a better quarterback than Keenum, so to only give up a fourth for one year isn’t that bad a deal.
» Now, don’t think I’m getting soft on Elway.
Flacco is an upgrade. But not much. He’s certainly not a transformational quarterback. If Denver thinks they’re getting someone who is going to be an elite, even above average, quarterback, they’re kidding themselves.
When the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2012, Flacco was incredible. (I’ll spare Broncos Country the painful reminders). However, it led to an overinflated view of Flacco.
He’s never really been anything but solid since then, and in recent years he’s been in decline.
» The Broncos still have real issues on offense.
Their offensive line needs a serious overhaul. Newly-hired offensive line coach Mike Munchak is good, but I fear he’s being portrayed as some sort of miracle worker, which is unfair to him.
The wide receivers are raw and untested. Denver has questions at tight end.
Flacco is similar to Keenum in that he needs a really good offense around him. That isn’t the case right now.
» Because the Broncos have a possible out with Flacco after just a year …
… They still have to (wait for it) draft a “khaki pants quarterback.”
If the Broncos were locked into three years with Flacco, I’d say put a delay on the signal-caller. Do everything to win now. But there is a way to find a happy medium of trying to compete now and still keep an important eye on the future.
» I have long held to the belief that until you find “the guy” at quarterback …
… You keep drafting and trying to develop one until you have the answer.
Since the Broncos don’t have a clear-cut, long-term answer, you have to draft a quarterback in rounds two through four.
Therefore — ta-da — my khaki pants guys are in play: Will Grier from West Virginia or Ryan Finley from the N.C. State Wolfpack.
» Why not a quarterback with the 10th-overall pick?
Because even though Flacco is only a small upgrade over Keenum, it does represent a belief from Elway the Broncos can compete next season.
So, that first-round pick needs to be used on an impact player that can help right away.
» Is that an offensive or defensive guy?
Here’s my theory on what Elway is trying to do. He’s not trying to build the next great Broncos team for the decade. He’s trying to capture the 2015 lightning in a bottle.
He’s trying to recapture the winning formula: an adequate offense with capable quarterback play and a dominant defense.
Elway has some good players on defense, and a chance to add more through free agency and the draft, to go with the expert coaching of a defensive “genius” like head coach Vic Fangio.
The GM isn’t trying to build for the long term. He’s looking for one last great season, fueled by the defense and supported by the offense, one chance to capture lightning in a bottle then ride off into the sunset.
So, draft a defensive stud with the 10th-overall pick.
» Speaking of Fangio, this Flacco move seems to fly in the face of his “Band-Aid” quote the other day.
But, as I’ve laid out, this isn’t really a “Band-Aid” move any more than going into this season with Case Keenum as their quarterback.
Plus, he coached in Baltimore while Flacco was there, so my guess as a first-time head coach who wants to make a good first impression, he’s only interested in upgrading the position. And Flacco does that.
» I hope the Broncos can find a trade partner for Keenum because, otherwise, the Broncos do own a ton of money committed to two quarterbacks.
It’s money that would severely crimp their ability to make splashes in free agency.
More thoughts to come as this saga plays out.
