4 perfect backups to help Sam Darnold grow into a star

1. Joe Flacco

In Baltimore and Denver over the last two years Flacco hasn’t seemed to have much interest in being a veteran mentor to a young quarterback, and if Drew Lock had been healthy eight starts for the Broncos last year probably wouldn’t have happened.

But with where he is at in his career, coming off a neck injury that shortened his 2019 season and ultimately undergoing neck surgery in April, Flacco is not going to find anything but backup opportunities right now. Before he had neck surgery, which may change the equation, he did not appear ready to retire.

Jets’ general manager Joe Douglas was a scout for the Ravens when they drafted Flacco back in 2008. That tie is informing the speculation tying Flacco to the Jets, and this side of Cam Newton the former Super Bowl MVP is now the best free agent quarterback available.

Assuming he’s healthy, with the current expectation he’ll be ready before the season starts, Flacco stands as a solid fit for any team who may be in search of a veteran backup.

Right or wrong, based on other team’s depth charts (looking at you, Rams and Cardinals), the Jets appear to be the only ones trying to tap that market right now. They are not at all a fit for Newton though, since he would bring pressure on Darnold far more than value as a clear backup.

So if the Jets are looking at Flacco at all, and they should be, he’s the clear top option to coming in and backup Darnold until further notice.