The Baltimore Ravens will continue to start quarterback Lamar Jackson, signaling the end of the Joe Flacco era.
It’s Lamar Jackson’s team now.
The Baltimore Ravens have put an end to any potential quarterback controversy naming Lamar Jackson the starter as Joe Flacco will be relegated to backup duties.
This was only a matter of time before the first round pick Jackson supplanted Flacco as the team’s starting quarterback. The Ravens are fighting week-to-week for their playoff lives, and if the season ended today, they would make the playoffs as the sixth and final seed in the AFC. That is due in part to the play of Jackson, who filled in for the injured Flacco during the last four games, and helped the Ravens go 3-1 in that span.
They came close to making it 4-0 by taking the Kansas City Chiefs, who are undefeated at home, to overtime at Arrowhead Stadium last week.
Flacco is back and healthy, and would be available to play in Week 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if needed. But the rookie Jackson has the hot hand right now, and with every game being so crucial to Baltimore’s season, Harbaugh has wisely decided to not change the formula that appears to be working.
As for Flacco, he seems to be taking the rough news about as well as anybody can.
“I guess my overall thought about it is obviously disappointed that I can’t be a part of this team in the same capacity that I have been for a long time,” Flacco said, via NFL.com. “But, [I’ve] always gotta be ready and stay sharp and be ready for the call at any point.”
It truly is the end of an era in Baltimore, as the 33-year-old Flacco had been the team’s starting quarterback since he was taken in the first round out of Delaware in 2008. Though he was never really considered to be among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, Flacco turned in an outstanding postseason in 2012, leading the underdog Ravens on a remarkable run to Super Bowl XLVII. Baltimore defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 to win the Lombardi Trophy, and Flacco was named Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 287 yards and three touchdowns.
But all good things come to an end, and with the 21-year-old Jackson set to take over as Baltimore’s quarterback of the present and the future, it is looking more likely that Flacco will get a fresh start with a new team in 2019.