Agent: Joe Flacco Is A Top-Five Quarterback

The agent for Joe Flacco will enter into contract discussions with the Baltimore Ravens at some point in the coming weeks with Flacco, the Ravens quarterback the last four seasons, entering the final year of his contract. Judging by the comments from each side, it appears both sides want to get something done long-term.

But, as usual, both sides will probably have a different view on what's a fair contract. Via The Baltimore Sun:

"If the game is about wins and losses, he has to be in the top five [quarterbacks]," Joe Linta, Flacco's agent, told the Baltimore Sun. "He is a player who has been extremely durable, never missed a game. And he's done something that no one has ever done. In his four years in the league, he has never missed a game and has more wins than any other quarterback."

In that sense, he's right. Flacco's 44 wins in his first four years are more than anyone else to start their career. No other quarterback has taken his team to the playoffs in his first four years. He's won five playoff games and been in two AFC Championship games. When it comes down to wins and losses, Flacco is among the elite.

Unfortunately, the Ravens will likely have a different interpretation of Flacco's body of work. They'll point to his numbers, which are more in line with the league average than a top five quarterback.

Quarterbacks are among the highest paid players in the game. Good ones, like Flacco, don't hit the open market very often and I wouldn't expect the Ravens to allow him to leave after next season. Both sides want to get something done and, when that's the case, it usually works out in the end. But we should expect some bumps along the way.

For more on the Ravens and Flacco's future, check out SB Nation's Ravens blog, Baltimore Beatdown.