Flacco highest paid QB, but where does he rank on the field?

NEW YORK (AP) — Joe Flacco’s impeccable timing earned him the richest contract for a quarterback in NFL history. That doesn’t mean he’s the game’s best QB.

Flacco agreed to a six-year, $120.6 million deal Friday after leading the Baltimore Ravens to the Super Bowl title. He gambled by playing out his five-year rookie contract rather than renegotiate before last season. And it paid off, catapulting him to the top of the money list at the game’s glamor position.

Even though Flacco has surpassed the future earnings of every NFL quarterback — for now — does he measure up as a player? And where in the top 10 does he belong? Here’s the resumes of the other top QB contenders.

— Peyton Manning, Denver: His $20 million base is befitting the NFL’s only four-time MVP, all with Indianapolis. After missing 2011 because of neck operations, he moved to Denver and nearly won the award again.

— Eli Manning, New York Giants: Peyton’s younger brother has one more Super Bowl championship to his credit, and his postseason work in the 2007 and 2011 seasons more than offset some inconsistent regular-season performances. He will make $13 million in base salary and his salary cap hit, including signing bonus tops the league: $20.85 million.

— Philip Rivers, San Diego: No Super Bowls to go with the $12 million the Chargers owe him. Then again, Rivers has seen the talent base around him diminished by trades, free agency, injuries and bad management decisions, even as he entered the prime of his career.

— Tony Romo, Dallas: Some would say Romo’s inability to produce in big games, regular season or playoffs, makes his $11.5 million payday (plus another $5.3 million against the salary cap) ludicrous. Others would argue the Cowboys never would contend without him.

— Matt Ryan, Atlanta: After finally winning a playoff game following three losses, maybe Ryan won’t be heavily criticized for how much he makes ($10 million).

— Drew Brees, New Orleans: Brees had the biggest QB contract at $100 million over five years before Flacco oneupped him. The unquestionable leader of the Saints, and a record-setting passer, Brees is in the perfect place with the perfect offense for his skills. At a $9.75 million salary in 2013, he’s a Big Easy bargain.

— Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay: Probably the next QB to get a huge new deal, Rodgers has been so good the last three years, including one NFL title, that the folks in Titletown no longer miss Brett Favre. His $9.25 million salary is cheap.

— Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh: At $2.6 million, the two-time Super Bowl winner is scheduled to make less in salary than Carson Palmer or Kevin Kolb this year. Again, this is a situation where the total compensation is wrapped up in bonuses — just under $11 million.

— Tom Brady, New England: How in the world did Brady land this low? The three-time Super Bowl champ and twotime MVP always has done cap-friendly deals. He renegotiated last week and upped his guaranteed money to $33 million over the next five years, but gets only $1 million in salary in 2013.

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