Sam Darnold finally has a backup in New York. The Jets signed neck surgery outpatient Joe Flacco to a one-year $4.5 million deal on Friday.
Flacco provides depth at a strained quarterback position. There was a massive drop off in experience after Darnold. David Fales, Mike White, and James Morgan have a combined nine seasons in the NFL, but have only played a combined two games, and both of those belong to Fales. Flacco’s 171 starts overshadows all of them.
Flacco is a curious signing for the Jets. While he’ll bring a veteran presence at backup, his health remains a concern. It was only two months ago that the Denver Broncos cut Flacco after he failed a physical. Flacco had neck surgery but is believed out until September 1 at the earliest. If the schedule doesn’t change due to Covid-19, the Jets’ first game will be in Buffalo on September 13. Can Flacco recover from surgery, learn a playbook, and contribute by then? Or did the Jets just buy an expensive sideline decoration?
So what the did the Jets get in this transaction? The veteran backup can help provide Darnold with much needed guidance, especially with this being Darnold’s big year to shine, but Flacco’s potential on-field play looks like it’ll be minimal at best. Was that worth $4.5 million? Unlikely.
QB Watch 