Ravens' Joe Flacco could be waving goodbye to some teammates if he signs a massive deal. (REUTERS)
Joe Flacco’s gain may yet end up becoming the Ravens’ demise.
General manager Ozzie Newsome said Thursday that the club is “optimistic” it will sign the free-agent quarterback to a long-term contract.
That scenario — with Flacco’s agent calling for his client to become the highest-paid player in the NFL — could cost some teammates their jobs.
Flacco’s agent has indicated the quarterback wants a deal that pays him more than Drew Brees.
Flacco, 28, is younger than Peyton Manning ($18 million) and Brees ($20 million), and he has as many Super Bowl titles as each of them.
Joe Linta, Flacco’s agent, has said while he is sensitive to the needs of the team, it comes “secondary to the needs of (Flacco).”
That leaves Newsome facing a stark economic cliff.
This is a team that already sits $5 million over the cap for 2013, and that’s without signing Flacco. Something obviously has to give — and, it doesn’t seem likely that “something” will be Flacco or
