(ESPN.com, Sat. March 2nd, 11:28 am) -- Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens have agreed to a six-year, $120.6 million contract that will make the quarterback the highest-paid player in NFL history, a source familiar with the deal told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Friday. The two sides will work on the contract language this weekend, and Flacco is expected to sign the deal Monday in Baltimore. Reaching agreement with Flacco before Monday's 4 p.m. franchise deadline means the Ravens are assured of retaining their starting quarterback and don't have to take a salary cap hit of approximately $19.5 million. Flacco played out his rookie contract this past season for $6.76 million. Now, based on the $120.6 million deal, he will make an average of $168,908 each day of the regular season for the next six years.
The unassuming and unheralded Flacco completed 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and 3 touchdowns, and earned Super Bowl MVP honors for leading the Ravens to a 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. He wrapped up Baltimore's four-game run to the title with a record-tying 11 TD passes and zero interceptions, going 73 of 126 for 1,140 yards. It was an impressive streak that included road victories against two of the game's most respected quarterbacks, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, and a first-round home win against No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Luck.
The 28-year-old Flacco, a fifth-year pro, has thrown for 17,633 yards, 102 touchdowns and 52 interceptions in 80 career games. He has never missed a game, and Flacco is the only quarterback in NFL history to win a postseason game in each of his first five pro seasons. He also holds the record for playoff road wins with six.
Had Flacco been franchised, he would have earned at least $14.896 million this season.
Unable to cash in
Of the eight $100 million contracts that are no longer active, the closest who reached the mark was Brett Favre, who received approximately $55 million. Of the five that are still active, Drew Brees has earned the most at $40 million of his $100 million deal. Joe will be 34 in six years, so there is a chance he could play out his entire contract and earn the full $120.6 million.
Does Flacco deserve to be highest paid?
According to ESPN's Sports Nation poll question:
Does Joe Flacco deserve to be the highest-paid player in the NFL?
As of March 3rd at 11:10 am with 14,826 responders, 84% said 'No' and only 16% said 'Yes'. Maryland, with 1,426 responses was the only state where the majority voted 'Yes', and even there it was a slim 52% Yes to 48% No.
With all he's accomplished, Joe still has a long road to travel before he will gain the respect that his record says he deserves.
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