Will Tom Brady's Deal Affect Joe Flacco?

Tom Brady's deal with the New England Patriots may have gained him good will with the front office, but it's clear that Joe Flacco won't be swayed by it. 

Talks between Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and Ravens executives are ongoing, but Flacco's agent made it clear that Brady's deal would have no bearing on his client's. "It doesn't matter. It's an extension for cap purposes. And we don't know all the details at this point, said Joe Linta to USA Today. "The bottom line is, whether Brady took a pay cut or took $27 million a year, it wouldn't have an impact on what we're doing. We're determined a number that we think if fair with respect for the Raven's cap situation."

Linta hasn't released that number to the public, but ESPN's Adam Schefter believes that it will be the richest in NFL history. "If (the deal with the Ravens) does get done, it will make Joe Flacco the highest-paid player in NFL history," according to Schefter. 

Could the 2013 Super Bowl champion become the first $200 million dollar man? Saints QB Drew Brees took on the mantle of "highest-paid" in 2012, signing a 5-year, $100 million dollar deal. The deal includes $60 million guaranteed in the first three years. 

The Ravens only have until March 4 to either sign Flacco to a new deal or place a franchise tag on him. Whether the Ravens opt for an exclusive or non-exclusive tag, they risk carrying a disgruntled QB into training camp or losing him altogether. 

As teams interested in Flacco wait to see what path the Ravens ownership will take, other Ravens free agents have been held in limbo. Until Flacco is signed, the team is unsure of how much moeny they'll have to offer Ravens players such as Dannell Ellerbe and Bryant McKinnie.