The Jets have signed former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to a one-year deal, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Flacco spent last season with the Denver Broncos and was replaced as the starting quarterback after eight games. He finished the season with 1,822 yards, 6 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Flacco will serve as the backup to third-year quarterback Sam Darnold. He will provide the veteran presence behind Darnold that New York lacked in 2019. The Jets went 0-3 with Luke Falk and Trevor Siemian last season while Sam Darnold was out with an illness. The two quarterbacks both failed to throw a single touchdown pass in their respective starts. Falk threw 3 interceptions.
Flacco will also provide the Jets with a quarterback familiar with the Patriots. Flacco is only 1-4 in his career against Bill Belichick during the regular season, but he’s 2-2 against New England in the postseason. Flacco also only has one loss in his career against the Patriots that was by more than a touchdown. The Jets desire to bring in Flacco has perhaps as much to do with his long history competing against their long time division rival as it does with improving the backup quarterback position.
Although they lost Tom Brady this offseason, the Patriots remain the betting favorites to win the AFC East according to the oddsmakers at DraftKings. Their defense, which features reigning defensive player of the year Stephon Gilmore, will still pose a threat to their opponents. Flacco’s moderate success against Belichick’s defenses in the past could be exactly what the Jets need to put them over the top.
Odds to Win the AFC East (on DraftKings as of May 8th)
Patriots +125
Bills +145
Jets +700
Dolphins +700
Flacco’s deal includes $3 million in incentives. The Jets also drafted rookie quarterback James Morgan in the 4th round who could compete with Flacco for the backup job.
Photo: (Jack Dempsey – AP Photo)
