The Jets signing of Joe Flacco is the latest offseason acquisition of veteran backup quarterbacks.
A team is only as good – or bad – as its backup quarterback. The Jets proved that theory the past two seasons when they went 0-6 without Sam Darnold. Joe Douglas is trying to make sure that doesn’t happen again with the signing of Joe Flacco.
Now, more than ever, NFL teams are grabbing capable, veteran quarterbacks for a backup role instead of a starting job. Flacco is one of five players to have played at least seven games in 2019 and sign with a team as their primary backup, joining Andy Dalton (Cowboys), Jameis Winston (Saints), Marcus Mariota (Raiders) and Case Keenum (Browns). Philip Rivers also signed with the Colts, who already had Jacoby Brissett. Brissett will become Indianapolis’ backup after starting all but one game in 2019.
Teams bring in experienced backup quarterbacks for two reasons: 1) to stabilize their team should their starter miss time or 2) as a good replacement if the starter fails to perform.
There are countless examples of this in recent memory, and a few big ones just from 2019. Teddy Bridgewater went 5-0 when the Saints lost Drew Brees, while Ryan Tannehill led the Titans to the AFC Championship after he took over for a flailing Marcus Mariota. The Dolphins, meanwhile, finished the season 5-4 after an 0-7 start with Ryan Fitzpatrick replacing Josh Rosen.
It makes even more sense to sign a veteran backup when you have a young quarterback under center, the Fitzpatrick example being the most obvious case. It’s likely a big reason why the Bears traded for Nick Foles with Mitchell Trubisky still on the roster or why the Browns signed Keenum to back up Baker Mayfield. The Chargers still drafted Justin Herbert even though they already had Tyrod Taylor.
Flacco provides a level of competency for the Jets that the collection of rookie James Morgan, David Fales and Mike White simply don’t possess. Flacco has 186 games of experience – including 15 playoff games – owns a career completion percentage of 61.9 percent and averaged 3,338.9 passing yards per season. Though his skill level has fallen the past two seasons and he’s coming off two consecutive season-ending injuries, Flacco knows how to run an offense well enough to be competitive and hold down the Jets should Darnold miss any games.
His knowledge and ability will also be important if the season is altered in any way due to the coronavirus pandemic and in mentoring Darnold during practice and on the sideline. Darnold enjoyed that type of support from Josh McCown during his rookie season, but definitely missed it during his sophomore year despite producing better numbers. There were stretches when Darnold looked lost and confused and having someone like Flacco to give advice could go a long way.
Typically, a high-level backup costs a lot of money, but the Jets only gave Flacco a $1.5 million deal. The contract could be worth up to $4.5 million with incentives, which likely will only be triggered if Flacco starts a game – though the deals of the contract haven’t been released. Last year, Bridgewater made $7.25 million to back up Brees, while Chase Daniel earned $5 million for the Bears.
Much like all the backup transactions this offseason and in previous years, the hope is they never see the field. That means something went wrong. The presence of said backups, though, provides relief and eases concern for players, coaches and executives that the season will be secured if the starter can’t play. The Jets hope Flacco doesn’t have to start in 2020. But if he does, it’ll be better than having an unproven player under center.
