Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos: Grading the team’s biggest moves of 2019

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 27: Joe Flacco #5 of the Denver Broncos against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 27: Joe Flacco #5 of the Denver Broncos against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Trading for Joe Flacco

Grade: D

The Broncos’ decision to trade for Joe Flacco was an unpopular one, even before the trade was actually made.

I never liked the idea of acquiring Flacco even though it was always going to be an option, and it turned out that Flacco had even less in the tank than originally anticipated.

He threw just six touchdown passes in eight starts with the Broncos, including four games where he had no touchdown passes. The Broncos’ offense was horrendous for the first half of the season, and Flacco was a major reason why.

The trade for Flacco wasn’t all bad. The Broncos gave up a 4th-round pick to get him, a reasonable price to pay given his contract with the Ravens and the risk was worth a shot if Flacco could return to the form he showed in 2014 when he was in a similar offense under Gary Kubiak.

Had the Broncos kept Kubiak, maybe it would have worked out better. But Flacco was unable to overcome the Broncos’ offensive line woes and his own inability to make quick decisions with the ball and avoid pressure.

Flacco was injured in week eight against the Indianapolis Colts and went on IR.

The Broncos are likely to cut Flacco this offseason, saving $10 million against the 2020 salary cap with $13.6 million in dead money.

Home/Broncos News