Report: Joe Flacco's contract target higher than Peyton Manning's

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco reportedly wants a contract worth more than Peyton Manning's and rivaling that of Drew Brees. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Joe Flacco and his representatives believe that he is playing better than Peyton Manning and deserves a bigger contract extension from the Baltimore Ravens, the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Monday.

According to Pro Football Talk, Manning makes $19.2 million per season. That means that, as ESPN.com's John Clayton reported Monday, Flacco will seek a contract that rivals Drew Brees' at $20 million per season.

As he gears up for Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday, Flacco faces impending unrestricted free agency in the offseason. The Ravens would almost certainly use their franchise tag on him. The tentative franchise-tag salary for quarterbacks is $14.642 million next season.

Statistically, Flacco didn't quite have the best season of his career in 2012. But he did lead the Ravens to a 10-6 record and three straight playoff wins to earn his team a Super Bowl appearance.

The 28-year-old Flacco had an 87.7 quarterback rating this season, throwing 22 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions. He has had a superb postseason, throwing eight touchdowns and zero interceptions in the three games. However, none of his regular-season stats — touchdowns, yards, quarterback rating or completion percentage — put him among the top 10 NFL quarterbacks in those respective categories.