INDIANAPOLIS — Team President Bruce Allen said Friday the Redskins were “never” involved in discussions for quarterback Joe Flacco.
The Baltimore Ravens agreed to trade Flacco to the Denver Broncos last month, and reports soon emerged about the Redskins being one of the teams interested in the veteran before the deal was agreed upon.
But Allen disputed that.
“We never were involved in the Flacco [discussions],” Allen said. “We’re looking at free agency. I don’t think it’s any secret that there are players who are being offered in trades from other teams. We’ve listened to that. We feel good where we’re at. I can’t tell you exactly who’s going to backup Colt [McCoy], if Alex [Smith] can’t go. But we have some time on that.”
Acquiring Flacco would have been difficult for the Redskins without the quarterback agreeing to restructure his contract. Flacco will carry an $18 million cap hit with the Broncos — and the Redskins are projected to have roughly only $18 million in cap space unless they clear out more room by cutting players.
Washington has traded for a quarterback multiple times under Allen, acquiring Donovan McNabb in 2010 and Smith last year.
The Redskins have an obvious need at quarterback for next season and team officials have said they are open to adding one through free agency, the draft trade.
Flacco threw for 2,465 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in nine games last season. The 34-year-old lost his job to first-rounder Lamar Jackson after Flacco suffered a hip injury.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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