Joe Flacco Showing Similar Lack of Class to Lamar Jackson

BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens stands on the field in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Ben Roethlisberger caught a lot of flak for his comments about Pittsburgh drafting a QB. Now Joe Flacco is stealing a page from that playbook.

If anything the Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback has it worse. The Steelers drafted Mason Rudolph in the 3rd round. While he’s a talented player, it’s difficult to see him overtaking Roethlisberger in any sort of competition unless the latter decides to retire anytime soon. Flacco had to watch as his team not only took a quarterback in the 1st round but actually traded up to get him. If that’s not a message, nothing is.

Lamar Jackson went 32nd overall to Baltimore and suddenly their future seems set. It seems less about if he takes over but when. As the league shifts towards more spread, read-option type offenses his skill set is in higher demand than ever. It would seem Flacco isn’t happy about this. According to multiple sources, the veteran Ravens quarterback has given Jackson the cold shoulder at every attempt of communication between the two.

Flacco has no right to feel disrespected at this point

Roethlisberger at least has some ground to stand on. He just got done leading the Steelers to a 13-3 record and reaching his fourth-straight Pro Bowl (sixth overall). What exactly has Flacco done recently that warrants him feeling a sense of entitlement like this? Sure, he won a Super Bowl and was the MVP in 2012. That was over five years ago. He’s never been to a Pro Bowl in his career and is coming off arguably the worst season of his career.

He threw for just 3,141 yards with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Yes, the weaponry and protection weren’t ideal but given the money he’s making, it’s right to expect more from him. He’s 33-years old and has shown a steady rate of decline the past three seasons. Head coach John Harbaugh is starting to feel the heat on his coaching chair after missing the playoffs again. The offense was a primary reason they missed it 2018.

Next: 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Firing the First Salvo

Clearly, they don’t trust Flacco to rebound at this point, so they went out and got some insurance. It’s smart business. The fact he’s acting so childish by not even communicating with his new teammate is a testament to his lack of class as a professional football player and maybe even his limitations as a leader.

Home/NFL Hot Takes