As Breer pointed out on Monday's "NFL AM," Flacco's deal "in essence" is for three years. That's because he's due $29 million in the fourth year, which "will not be workable" unless the salary cap explodes once money from national television contracts kick in. Breer added that Flacco's 2013 salary cap number is less than half of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's. "He certainly did the Ravens a favor," Breer said on "NFL AM."
Two numbers in the agreement jump out immediately. The first is the guaranteed money -- $52 million (New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been the benchmark for guaranteed earnings with $60 million from the megadeal he signed last July, including $40 million in the first year; Brady also gets around $60 million guaranteed in the extension he signed last week). Second, Flacco's salary-cap number in 2013 is $6.8 million. This is obviously a team-friendly figure that will give the Ravensmuch more flexibility this offseason than previously thought.
Here's a breakdown of Flacco's new contract, the richest in NFL history:
» $29 million signing bonus
» $29 million cap number in Year 4
» $30 million in Year 1
» $51 million through Year 2
» $62 million through Year 3
» $80 million through Year 4
» $100.6 million through Year 5
Breer details the specifics of Flacco's contract. In 2013, Flacco will get a fully-guaranteed $29 million signing bonus and a $1 million base salary. In 2014, he's due a $15 million option bonus (guaranteed for injury) and a $6 million base salary. In 2015, it's a $7 million option bonus (guaranteed for injury) and a $4 million base salary. In 2016, he will earn an $18.2 million base salary. In 2017, the base salary increases to $20.6 million, and in 2018, it's a $20 million base.