Joe Flacco Smoothly Tosses Ravens Quarterback Job to Lamar Jackson

In what is likely his final act as a Baltimore Raven, Joe Flacco handed off the quarterback job to Lamar Jackson with class.

Flacco, who watched from the sidelines as Jackson struggled to move the ball for three quarters during a home playoff loss to the LA Chargers on Sunday, could have created controversy when addressing the media for the what’s expected final time as Raven.

Instead, following Baltimore’s 23-17 loss to the Chargers, Flacco showed nothing but support for Jackson. “I thought Lamar did a great job of just hanging in there and giving us a chance at the end,” he said. “We made the decision what was going to happen here weeks ago. I really wanted to see the guys turn it up a little bit and make a play, which they did.”

And, despite being benched for the rookie last month, Flacco praised the Ravens organization and Baltimore on his way out the door.

“I can’t imagine a better 11 years.” – @JoeFlacco pic.twitter.com/bb2Pdn0atL

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 7, 2019

Assuming he has played his last down in purple, Flacco exits Baltimore with a Super Bowl championship, six playoff seasons and the title of the best quarterback in Ravens history.

And he’s not done in the NFL, according to coach John Harbaugh.

“Joe is going to have a market,” Harbaugh said. “A lot of teams are going to want Joe, because they understand that. I’ll be in Joe’s corner, wherever he’s at, unless we play him. He’s special. Joe Flacco is a great talent. He’s an even better person. He’s the best quarterback in the history of the Ravens, without question. That’s not even because I’m biased — it’s just a fact. Yes, he’s going to be just fine.”

“Lamar’s our quarterback going forward, there’s no question about that.”

John Harbaugh addresses the future of the #Ravens quarterback situation regarding @Lj_era8 and @JoeFlacco pic.twitter.com/qTW2T6RXTG

— NBC Sports Ravens (@NBCSRavens) January 6, 2019