On Monday, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco signed his contract. On Tuesday, the full details have surfaced.
Per a source with his knowledge of the contract, here are the terms:
1. $29 million signing bonus.
2. $1 million base salary in 2013.
3. $15 million option bonus due in 2014.
4. $6 million base salary in 2014.
5. $7 million option bonus due in 2015.
6. $4 million base salary due in 2015.
7. $18 million base salary in 2016.
8. $20.6 million base salary in 2017.
9. $20 million base salary in 2018.
The cap numbers are $6.8 million in 2013, $14.8 million in 2014, $14.55 million in 2015, $28.55 million in 2016, $31.15 million in 2017, and $24.75 million in 2018.
The reduced cap number in the last year of the deal gives the Ravens protection against the 20-percent raise arising from the use of the franchise tag. The $24.75 million cap number in 2018 becomes a $29.7 million franchise tag in 2019.
Still, it’s the $28.55 million cap number in 2016 that will force a new deal, barring a major (and unexpected) spike in the salary cap.