Joe Flacco Smoothly Tosses Ravens Quarterback Job to Lamar Jackson

Flacco handled his exit from Baltimore with class instead of creating controversy.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on from the sidelines during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on from the sidelines during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
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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.

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.”

Though it wasn’t on top, it was classy for Flacco to go out without ruffling any feathers.

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