Rumors: Redskins were interested in Joe Flacco before Denver trade

The Broncos kept the Redskins from succumbing to their own destructive impulses by trading for Joe Flacco, but rumor has it the Redskins were on the scent.

The Denver Broncos recently made waves with a trade reminiscent of the Alex Smith deal last January, putting together a bid for Baltimore’s Joe Flacco. They ended up sending over a fourth-round pick, and in return, the Ravens gave away Flacco and his cumbersome contract.

The Flacco trade sent forth a wave of speculative repercussions, in regards to the 2019 NFL Draft and possible trade-ups by quarterback-needy teams. But perhaps the biggest takeaway, for Washington Redskins fans? The Redskins, for once, didn’t indulge in their bad habits. They stayed away from a bad proposition, or so it seemed.

But now, per a report from Denver sports journalist Troy Renck, the Broncos were forced to act so quickly because Washington was close behind them, showing interest in Flacco. Renck first brought the report to light on his show on February 15.

Renck also went on to say that the Redskins could be one of the teams interested in trading for Broncos starter-turned-backup Case Keenum. Keenum would be a cheaper option, but he ultimately has his limitations, and he’d only lead the Redskins to another middling season.

Ultimately, what Washington might need is a restart. But the team’s purported interest in Joe Flacco is concerning, to say the least. They either failed to recognize, or chose to accept, that Flacco’s $18.5 million cap hit, combined with Alex Smith‘s even higher cap hit, would cripple the team financially.

Were the Redskins to trade for Flacco, or any underwhelming veteran starter, for that matter, they’d essentially be accepting the middling state they’re in. True, quality, sustainable success takes a heightened investment of time and patience, and if this latest rumor is true (Which it could be false, for all we know), then they still don’t know what they’re doing.