Joe Flacco bet on himself this season, and he cashed out today. Flacco was offered a long term extension last year, but it was not nearly lucrative enough to make him the highest paid player in NFL history.
Flacco signed his six-year $120.6 million today, and while answering questions from reporters, acknowledged that he didn’t accept the offer last year, because he simply thought he was worth more according to CSN Baltimore.
“I thought I was worth more and I didn’t see any circumstances where I wouldn’t get paid more than what they were willing to give me at that point,” Flacco said.
Flacco essentially knew that the deal would be there a year later, but if he played lights out, and led his team to a playoff run, the pot would be sweeter.
“I figured play one more year, see what we can do as a football team, have confidence in myself, have confidence in the guys around me and let it play itself out from there,” Flacco said.
“It makes it a little easier for Steve to reach into his pockets when we’ve just won the Super Bowl,” Flacco said. “That was my feeling all along.”
Kudos Joe for believing in yourself, and more importantly, showing and proving.