Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco agreed to a contract extension this week that gives Flacco a huge guarantee up front but spreads out the salary cap hit into future years, which means Baltimore created $6 million in new cap space for 2016. And Flacco knows how he wants to see that money spent.
Flacco said on PFT Live that he hopes the savings go toward shoring up the offensive line. Although he didn’t mention any players by name, he made it clear that he’s hoping guard Kelechi Osemele, who’s slated to become a free agent on Wednesday, stays in the fold.
“The one thing is I would say we need to get our O-line solidified, see who’s going to be there for sure,” Flacco said. “We’ve got a couple guys, at least one guy who’s out in the open there, whether we’re going to get a contract done with him or not. So once we get those guys nailed down and see who they’re going to be, I think that’s the biggest part of a championship, as far as the offensive side of the ball.”
Osemele will have options, and there’s a good chance he’ll be offered more money elsewhere. But the new deal for Flacco gives Ravens the cap space to compete for Osemele, and that’s what Flacco wants to see.