Broncos Releasing Joe Flacco With Failed Physical Designation

Adam Schefter reports that the Broncos have informed QB Joe Flacco that he’s being released with a failed physical designation. 

Reports had said that the Broncos were expected to officially move on from Flacco this week. He’s coming off of a season-ending neck injury so there was some question as to whether Denver could wait until he’s healthy to release him, but it appears as though they felt it was best to make the move now. 

The Broncos will head into the 2020 season with Drew Lock as their starter and Jeff Driskel serving as his backup.

Flacco, 34, is a former first-round pick of the Ravens back in 2008. The Broncos agreed to trade a 2019 fourth-round pick to the Ravens for Flacco last year. 

Flacco is currently in the fourth year of a six-year, $125 million contract that contained $44 million guaranteed and set to make base salaries of $20.25 million (2020) and $24.25 million (2021) over the remainder of the contract.

According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Flacco will free up $10.05 million of available cap space while creating $13.6 million in dead money. 

In 2019, Flacco has appeared in eight games and completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 1,822 yards to go along with six touchdowns and five interceptions for the Ravens. Pro Football Focus had him rated as the No. 21 quarterback out of 34 qualifying players.