Joe Flacco said he's motivated to restructure his contract to help the Baltimore Ravens gain extra salary cap room in free agency.
"Come on, I want to win, so I want to do everything we can to get something done," Flacco told WBAL Radio on Thursday morning, where he was making an appearance to promote a Special Olympics charity event. "I don't know exactly what that is or exactly what that's going to be because we haven't talked about it yet. But I know that that's a huge number and it's not really realistic."
Flacco's cap number jumps to $28.55 million this season, which ranks third in the NFL. The Ravens are under more pressure to restructure the contract than is Flacco, who will make $18 million next season even if he doesn't agree to the restructuring. But Flacco can help the Ravens' ability to sign free agents who can improve Baltimore's chances of turning around a 5-11 season.
If the sides can rework his current deal (which has three years remaining on it) or agree to a new one, the Ravens could receive around $8 million or $9 million in extra cap space and Flacco could get two or three more years added to his contract, plus he may be able to negotiate for more guaranteed money. It would be better for Baltimore if the team could get something worked out with Flacco before the start of free agency on March 9.
"I'm open to doing something. I want to be here for a while," Flacco said. "I want play football here. That's what it's all about."
In addition to his contract, the other issue Flacco faces this offseason is his health. Six weeks removed from surgery to repair two torn knee ligaments, he said the rehab is "going really well."
Flacco is confident he'll be fully recovered by the start of the regular season in September.
"I'm coming along great," Flacco said. "I don't think there is any way I'm not going out there ready to go right away. Don't quote me. But that's just me. I have no timetable. I'm really taking it day by day and getting better and better each week."