By Damon Knight, Tribune Correspondent
Friday, the New York Jets signed free-agent quarterback Joe Flacco to a one-year, $1.5 deal. The 35-year-old previously played for the Denver Broncos, guiding them to an awful record of 2-6 in 2019. Subsequently, the Broncos released Flacco due to a failed physical in March.
One month later, Flacco underwent neck surgery to repair a herniated disk. And according to sources, Flacco is likely to be cleared for contact in August or in mid-September. If Flacco stays healthy, he’ll make $3M in incentives and be the predominant backup to starter Sam Darnold.
Meanwhile, the Jets have been searching for a quarterback of Flacco’s caliber. Interviewing former Cincinnati Bengals starter Andy Dalton, who eventually signed with his hometown team the Dallas Cowboys. The Jets however, did go out and re-sign journeyman David Fales. Fales, 29, has never started a game in his five-year career. He has, although, attempted 48 career-passing attempts since being drafted in 2014. The team also drafted quarterback James Morgan with a fourth-round draft pick out of Florida International. He’s projected to be the team’s 3rd-string quarterback.
As for Flacco, he’ll add experience to a team that finished 7-9 last season in the AFC East. But mostly, his knowledge could definitely help a struggling quarterback room. In a recent interview with ESPN, former Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome said, Jets GM Joe Douglas put a “big-time grade” on Flacco and lobbied hard for him. Douglas, 44, was a former area scout for the Baltimore Ravens when drafted Flacco in the 2008 NFL Draft.
