Denver Broncos: Thoughts on Joe Flacco heading to IR

The Denver Broncos are moving forward in 2019 without Joe Flacco, who will be out for the rest of the 2019 season with a neck injury.

As it turns out, Joe Flacco’s post-game rant following the Denver Broncos’ heart-breaking loss to the Indianapolis Colts could be his last statements as the quarterback of the team.

The Broncos are placing Flacco on injured reserve officially after gathering as much information as they could about his recent neck injury.

Flacco got a second opinion on the injury, which is expected to keep him out for about six weeks.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first one on the scene with Flacco heading to IR.

Alright, here are a few thoughts on this whole thing.

1. Flacco done as a Bronco?

I think it’s likely we’ve seen the last of Joe Flacco on the field for the Denver Broncos, but there’s no guarantee of that at this point.

Flacco is under contract for another two seasons and the Broncos pushed some of his 2019 salary into the future to save cap space now, but they can still save $10 million against next year’s cap with $13 million in dead money by releasing him.

I wrote an article on what this move could possibly mean if the Broncos made it, and now they have. Check out that post here.

Flacco was not good this season at all, throwing six touchdown passes with five interceptions and eight fumbles.

Due to the fact that Flacco’s injury is six weeks and the rest of the regular season is nine weeks, is it possible the Broncos would have to release him off of IR when he’s healthy like the Patriots just did with Josh Gordon?

I don’t know that is mandatory, but it’s possible.

2. Start the Drew Lock countdown

The Broncos haven’t officially activated Drew Lock from IR yet, but that seems only a formality at this point.

Lock was placed on IR at the start of the season with a thumb injury he suffered in the preseason, an injury that has turned out to be quite unfortunate as we sit here today.

With that said, the Broncos have Brandon Allen and Brett Rypien on the active roster at QB. How long are we going to have to wait for Lock with those two guys the only other options?

The Broncos have a plan in place for Lock to get him out onto the field, and now they need to execute and perhaps even expedite it.

3. Lessons learned

The Broncos paid a bunch of money last year for Case Keenum, and that experiment failed. They traded a fourth-round pick and paid a lot of money for Joe Flacco. That experiment failed.

It’s time to dive into the deep end of the pool and put all of the chips in for a young quarterback.

Thankfully, the Broncos seemed to luck into Lock, who was supposed to be a first-round pick and lasted until the 10th pick of the second round.

Lock is the most talented QB prospect the Broncos have had since Elway has been around as the lead decision-maker. He’s got a big arm, great intangibles, great athleticism, and a lot of college experience.

Do not go after a veteran retread who is past his prime, Mr. Elway.