Reunion with former Super Bowl MVP a logical option for Jets after Aaron Rodgers injury
An MRI on Tuesday confirmed what the New York Jets had feared — quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles against the Buffalo Bills. The injury ends Rodgers' 2023 season just four snaps into his Gang Green tenure and leaves a Super Bowl-caliber roster with glaring questions under center.
Expectations are the Jets will turn to former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson at quarterback for the immediate future. However, the team will likely be in the market to add competition for Wilson, or at the very least, depth behind him.
Notable names such as Tom Brady, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton have floated across social media as potential solutions for the suddenly quarterback-needy Jets. Yet, while Jets fans might hold out hope for a splash addition, chances are the organization takes a less theatrical path.
Former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco spent the past three seasons with the Jets, moonlighting as a starter for nine games. Currently a free agent, the 38-year-old Flacco confirmed to ESPN on September 7 that he's had zero thoughts about retirement and is hopeful he will be signed by a team at some point this season.
"When people are really pressed to win some games, if they have to call on somebody, then they'd be more willing to get somebody like me who can hopefully come in and learn an offense pretty quickly and at least give you a fighting chance," Flacco said.
While offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is in his first season with the Jets, Flacco has a long-standing connection with the majority of the coaching staff and offensive players in Florham Park. His three years in New York were all played under head coach Robert Saleh, while quarterback coach Rob Calabrese joined the Jets staff in 2021. New York's offense also has nine returning starters from last season's squad.
Flacco's record as a starter with the Jets wasn't pretty, winning just one game over three seasons. However, his production was solid, tossing 14 touchdowns to six interceptions.
His mobility, or rather lack thereof, is an obvious red flag for an offense that couldn't keep their $112.5 million quarterback upright for more than a single drive to begin the season. Flacco took double the amount of sacks (10) as he had touchdown passes (five) in 2022. However, that shouldn't be enough to steer the Jets away from bringing in the wily veteran to back up Wilson.
While Flacco is far from the flashiest potential addition the Jets could make, he's shown the capability to continuously produce when called upon in recent seasons.
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