Tag: Joe Flacco

Expanded roster rules could help Jets maneuver Joe Flacco’s injury timetable

The NFL’s new expanded roster rules can help the Jets maneuver Joe Flacco’s timetable in case he’s not ready for the 2020 season.

The NFL’s new expanded roster rules could help the Jets with Joe Flacco in 2020.

Flacco underwent neck surgery in April, but he probably won’t be ready to play until September. If the NFL season kicks off on time in mid-September and Flacco isn’t cleared by the team, the Jets are going to have to shuffle around their quarterback room.

That would mean David Fales or James Morgan serving as Darnold’s backup, with the other being the third-string. In a scenario in which Flacco isn’t ready for the start of the season, the Jets could opt to go with four quarterbacks at the beginning of the year.

Luckily for the Jets, the NFL expanded rosters under the new CBA. On gameday, the roster size now maxes out at 48 players after previously being set at 46 players. However, one of those extra players has to be an offensive lineman.

As for the practice squads, those rosters increased from 10 players to 12 players in 2020. Teams can also bring two players from their practice onto the active roster per week. So instead of 53 players on an active roster, teams can have 55 players during a game week.

The shape of the Jets quarterback room is going to depend on Flacco’s health. If he’s ready to play by September, the Jets could let Fales go without any harm. More likely than not, Morgan will be on the Jets practice squad most of the season unless disaster strikes.

Fortunately for the Jets, they’ll have the roster flexibility to manage in case Flacco is not ready to go in time for the start of the 2020 season.

7 things to know about new Jets QB Joe Flacco

Here are seven things to know about new Jets QB Joe Flacco, who signed to be the team’s backup on Friday.

The Jets needed to find an experienced backup quarterback this offseason. Enter Joe Flacco.

Flacco committed to a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million on Friday. He brings a winning pedigree and a resume filled to the brim with starting experience. He won’t push Sam Darnold for the starting job, but will be a more than capable backup should Darnold get hurt. Darnold has already missed six games in just two seasons.

With that said, let’s get to know the Jets’ latest addition to the quarterback room. Here are seven things to know about Flacco.

Historic Postseason Run

(Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports)

On his way to leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory over the San Franciso 49ers and earning Super Bowl MVP honors in the process, Joe Flacco had one of the more memorable performances by a quarterback in postseason history.

Flacco completed 73 of 126 passes for 1,140 yards, 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions in four games during the 2012 playoffs. Flacco capped the run by completing 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and three first-half touchdowns in Baltimore’s second Super Bowl victory in franchise history.

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What does Joe Flacco mean for James Morgan’s immediate future with Jets?

Jets Wire breaks down why James Morgan will not factor into New York’s plans at quarterback in 2020 following the signing of Joe Flacco.

It always seemed far-fetched to think that the Jets were content with a rookie serving as Sam Darnold’s backup this upcoming season.

When New York selected James Morgan in the 2020 NFL Draft, many jumped to the conclusion that he would instantly assume the No. 2 spot on the depth chart in his rookie year. However, selecting Morgan in the fourth-round was a long-term move by general manager Joe Douglas, not one that was going to drastically alter the quarterback room right away.

David Fales, while well-versed in Adam Gase’s offense, lacked the in-game experience to give the Jets any reason to think he could make an impact in the event of an injury to Darnold. New York learned what happens when you don’t have a reliable backup quarterback the hard way last season when Darnold succumbed to mononucleosis. Trevor Siemian suffered a gruesome season-ending leg injury and his successor, Luke Falk, looked like a deer caught in the headlights every time he took the field. Without Darnold, the Jets did not win a single game and any hope of contending for a playoff spot went out the window.

The signing of veteran signal caller Joe Flacco gives New York exactly what it needs out of its backup quarterback. Not only will Flacco serve as a valuable mentor for Darnold, but he also has enough gas left in the tank to pilot the offense without much of a drop-off in production if Darnold is forced to miss any time in 2020.

Adding a veteran backup behind Darnold was always part of the Jets’ offseason plan — the structure of Fales’ contract is proof of this. Even with Morgan in the fold at the position, Douglas did not stray away from his goal of bringing in an experienced passer to strengthen New York’s depth. It was a no-brainer for him to do so, especially given the opportunity to add a player with Flacco’s track record.

The fact of the matter is that the Jets did not select Morgan with their eyes on instantly inserting him as the No. 2. That would be a lot to ask of any rookie quarterback, especially one from a non-Power 5 school selected in the middle rounds. If Fales’ lack of experience was the reason why the Jets yearned for more at quarterback, why would Morgan, who has yet to take a single professional snap, be the one to solidify the position in 2020?

Morgan has a very good chance to be New York’s backup quarterback of the future. That is not an illustrious role, but one he seems well-suited for once he gets a little seasoning at the next level. Learning from both Darnold and Flacco will be a boon for the Florida International product and will prepare him for the rigors of running an NFL offense in a pinch sooner rather than later.

Just don’t expect him to have any sort of impact for Gang Green this upcoming season. The No. 2 spot on the depth chart is simply not in Morgan’s immediate future.

AFC East offseason: Jets sign QB Joe Flacco

AFC East New York Jets sign one-year deal with QB Joe Flacco.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott often mentions his desire to have a veteran behind his starting quarterback, Josh Allen. That’s Matt Barkley.

For now, at least.

But the New York Jets appear to be following suit with that idea. The Jets signed veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to backup Jets’ starter Sam Darnold.

According to Jets Wire, the former Super Bowl MVP landed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, but could be worth up to $4.5 million with incentives.

The Jets also have rookie James Morgan and David Fales in their QB room. Flacco played for the Broncos in 2019. He went 2-6 as a starter and threw for only 1,822 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. He finished the season on injured reserve after suffering a neck injury in Week 8.

Darnold and Allen are both entering their third pro seasons.

 

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Did the Steelers miss a golden opportunity with Joe Flacco?

The Jets signed a solid veteran backup for next to nothing and it makes you wonder what the Steelers are thinking.

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The big NFL news on Friday was all about quarterback Joe Flacco signing a one-year contract with the New York Jets. According to NFL reporter Adam Schefter, the base salary on the contract is $1.5 million with the potential of $4.5 million based on incentives.

If this sounds like a bargain for a veteran starting quarterback with a Super Bowl championship, 171 career starts and an 84.1 career quarterback rating, it’s because it is. Flacco spent 11 seasons going against the Steelers as the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens so both sides know each other well.

This could have been a perfect opportunity for the Pittsburgh Steelers to truly solidify their backup quarterback position and go into the season without the fears of a repeat of 2019.

I won’t go so far as to say this was inexcusable by Pittsburgh because I’m not part of those decisions. But the idea Mason Rudolph inspires more confidence than Flacco as Ben Roethlisberger’s backup is worrisome.

The Steelers have never hesitated to have their two backup quarterbacks be a seasoned veteran and a young developmental player. It’s still a mystery why they have strayed from this formula.

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Joe Flacco gives Jets a chance if Sam Darnold gets sidelined

The Jets needed a good backup quarterback for Sam Darnold. Joe Flacco is the best option for Gang Green.

There is no right answer when bringing in a backup quarterback. The hope is he never sees the field and merely stands on the sideline with his helmet off, a clipboard or tablet in his hand and an earpiece to hear the calls.

Joe Flacco, though, is the best option for the Jets as a backup quarterback who will ensure the offense can persist without Sam Darnold because of his experience in the league and skillset as a pocket passer. 

Let’s get one thing straight: Flacco, who recently turned 35, hasn’t been a good quarterback since 2016 and hasn’t been anywhere close to an elite one since 2014. He’s coming off two consecutive season-ending injuries on two different teams and won’t be cleared until August or September. Even Flacco’s recent stats are horrid – he only played 17 games in the past two seasons with 4,287 yards, 18 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 6-11 record. But like it or not, he’s still a better option than fourth-round rookie James Morgan and perennial backup David Fales because of his knowledge of the game.

This is a similar move to the signing of Frank Gore to back up Le’Veon Bell. Flacco’s experience will make it much easier for him to learn Gase’s offense if the Jets are unable to participate in offseason workouts because of the coronavirus pandemic. Flacco understands how to command an offense effectively – he’s done it for 12 years – and has ample postseason experience that includes a Super Bowl win and MVP accolade.

If everything goes well this season, Flacco will never see the field for the Jets. But if he does, he’s perfect for Gase’s offense. Flacco thrived in the past as a pocket-passer and finished 12th in the league with a 65.3 percent competition percentage in 2019. If called upon, he’d be well equipped to handle the plays Gase and company give to him. 

The Jets needed a veteran in the quarterback room after the team went 0-6 the past two seasons without him, and there was no way Joe Douglas would let Gase start the season with Morgan or Fales as the second player on the depth chart. He watched two of his former teams win Super Bowls with backups – the Ravens with Trent Dilfer in 2000 and the Eagles with Nick Foles in 2017 – and picked Flacco as the only viable option. Douglas played a pivotal role in the discovery and drafting of Flacco in 2008, and Flacco rewarded Douglas with his second of three Super Bowl rings in 2012.

While Cam Newton and Jameis Winston are the two best quarterbacks on the market from a pure football standpoint, neither would be good options for Gase considering their experience as starters and the offenses they played in with their former teams. Both would have invited heavy criticism for Darnold if the third-year quarterback faltered in any way this season. Other backup quarterbacks include Matt Moore, Josh McCown, Blake Bortles and DeShone Kizer.

Flacco isn’t a sexy pick, but he’s a quality football player to add to the Jets’ young quarterback unit. He proved capable of at least playing in 2019 with the Broncos before suffering a neck injury – which is more than the Jets can say about their backups from last season. 

Jets sign QB Joe Flacco to one-year deal

The Jets signed the former Super Bowl MVP, according to his agent, on a one-year, $1.5 million deal worth up to $4.5 million with incentives.

Joe Flacco is headed to New York.

The Jets signed the former Super Bowl MVP, according to his agent, on a one-year, $1.5 million deal worth up to $4.5 million with incentives, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Flacco reportedly will be ready to participate in training camp this offseason and should be medically cleared of the neck injury that ended his 2019 season in September, per Schefter.

Flacco will likely become the primary backup to Sam Darnold, meaning an uncertain future for rookie James Morgan and veteran David Fales. Flacco had an unspectacular season in Denver after being traded by the Ravens. He went 2-6 as a starter and threw for only 1,822 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions. He finished the season on injured reserve after suffering a neck injury in Week 8. Flacco also reunites with former Broncos center Connor McGovern.

It’s unsurprising that Jets general manager Joe Douglas went after Flacco – he was the one who discovered, found, and convinced the Ravens to draft the Pittsburgh transfer out of the University of Delaware in the first round of the 2008 draft. Flacco should be a great mentor for Darnold considering his 12 years of NFL experience and postseason experience that includes a Super Bowl MVP in 2012.

The Jets needed experience in the backup quarterback department, and Flacco is a solid investment for Douglas in case Darnold misses time again.

Jets signing former Ravens QB Joe Flacco

After just one year with the Denver Broncos, former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will head to the New York Jets in 2020.

After 11 years in Baltimore, quarterback Joe Flacco will be on his third team in as many years. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Flacco’s agent, the former Ravens quarterback has agreed to terms with the New York Jets on a one-year deal.

Flacco would be the primary backup to Sam Darnold in New York, which could be a good path back to a starting role for the former Super Bowl MVP passer. Darnold hasn’t been great since entering the league with the Jets as a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s completed just 59.9% of his passes for 5,889 yards, 36 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. Darnold’s 2.9% interception rate was the sixth-highest in the league last season.

Darnold has also missed three games in each of his two seasons in the NFL. As his primary backup, Flacco would be thrust into the starting role if Darnold misses any time again in 2020.

However, Flacco has also had some injury concerns in recent years. He lost his starting job to Lamar Jackson in the middle of the 2018 season after suffering a hip injury. After his trade to the Denver Broncos last season, Flacco suffered a neck injury in Week 8 that put him on injured reserve and ultimately required surgery, according to ESPN.

While Flacco has seen a lot of critiques over the years, he’s been a solid quarterback. His 2012 postseason is still a work of art that has him mentioned with the likes of Joe Montana. Before his injury in 2018, Flacco was on an MVP-caliber pace with Baltimore. With some weapons around him, Flacco could still impress if given a chance.

Flacco will reunite with general manager Joe Douglas in New York. Douglas had been a scout with the Ravens when Flacco was drafted.

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Ex-Broncos QB Joe Flacco agrees to 1-year deal with Jets

The Jets are signing former Broncos and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.

Former Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco has agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Jets, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The one-year contract is worth $1.5 million. Flacco can earn an additional $3 million through incentives, according to Schefter.

Flacco, 35, was acquired by the Broncos in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens last spring. He started Denver’s first eight games last year before suffering a season-ending neck injury. It’s unclear if Flacco will be healthy in time for New York’s season opener this fall.

After Flacco went down with an injury, the Broncos turned to Brandon Allen for three games while then-rookie Drew Lock recovered from a thumb injury. After he was cleared to play, Lock started Denver’s final five games of the year, helping the Broncos go 4-1.

Denver cut Flacco with a failed physical designation in March.

Flacco will likely compete for the Jets’ backup job behind starter Sam Darnold. In addition to Darnold and Flacco, New York also has quarterbacks David Fales and Mike White.

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David Fales’ contract indicates Jets have been thinking about other QBs all along

The structure of David Fales’ contract indicates the Jets have been looking to add a more established backup quarterback all along.

When the Jets re-signed David Fales to a one-year deal in April, it looked like New York was content settling for him as Sam Darnold’s backup in 2020.

As it turns out, that is far from the case. In fact, Fales’ contract breakdown indicates the Jets have been thinking about adding a better quarterback to serve as Darnold’s backup all along.

Fales is due to make the veteran minimum of $910,000 next season. However, only $100,000 is guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. This means that not only could the Jets afford to add another backup behind Fales and rookie James Morgan, but they can also part ways with Fales without having to deal with nearly any financial ramification.

Considering Fales’ lack of meaningful in-game experience, it’s not surprising that the Jets would have an interest in adding a more established veteran to the quarterback room. Fales has played in only three games since entering the NFL in 2014 and has not attempted a pass in a regular season game since 2017. He might be well-versed in Adam Gase’s offense, but the Jets need more than a quarterback whose only value is having a playbook down pat.

The financial flexibility Fales’ contract allows New York to work with enables it to target one of the higher-end backup quarterbacks remaining on the open market. Veterans such as Joe Flacco and Matt Moore are still available for the taking. So is Cam Newton if the Jets want to go down that road.

No matter how you slice it, the structure of Fales’ contract indicates that the writing could be on the wall regarding his future at One Jets Drive. If New York had confidence that he could provide some sort of substantial value, he would have received a lot more guaranteed money from Joe Douglas.

Don’t be shocked if the Jets add another veteran signal caller before the beginning of training camp in late July. If that happens, Fales might have to take his $100,000 and call it a day.