The New York Jets will get a have a look at what might have been after they play in opposition to quarterback Joe Flacco and the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night time.
In 4 begins with Cleveland, Flacco is 3-1 and has thrown 10 touchdowns, the identical variety of passing touchdowns New York has all season. The Jets have not had a QB throw for greater than 9 TDs in a season since 2019.
Flacco spent components of three seasons with the Jets from 2020-2022, going 1-8 because the starter. In his sole win, over the Browns final season, he threw two landing passes to Garrett Wilson — the identical variety of TD catches the star second-year wideout has from New York’s Zach Wilson.
Regardless of Flacco’s latest historical past with the Jets, nevertheless, New York wasn’t excited about bringing him again this offseason or after Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles damage in Week 1.
In a misplaced season for New York, head coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas have rightfully acquired heavy criticism for not having a serviceable backup quarterback. The workforce entered the season with Wilson as its No. 2 possibility, placing ill-advised belief within the 24-year-old. After Rodgers went down, the Jets doubled down on Wilson and selected to not add a veteran QB.
New York’s QB carousel has continued spinning in Rodgers’ absence, with Wilson, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian main one of many worst offenses within the NFL. Though the Browns have had comparable turnover on the place — Deshaun Watson, P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson have all performed this season — they appear to have discovered their reply at QB in Flacco, a 16-year veteran they signed in November.
Saleh has remained adamant that he would not remorse letting Flacco go, although the veteran’s latest play definitely clouds the choice. Prior to now 4 video games, Flacco has thrown for probably the most yards (1,307) within the NFL. Towards the Jets, he has the chance to clinch the primary playoff look for Cleveland (10-5) since 2020.
Though Flacco has performed effectively since coming off the sofa, it would not essentially imply he’d be reaching the identical success with the Jets. Cleveland’s offensive line has handled season-ending accidents to tackles Dawand Jones, Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin however has nonetheless performed successfully. New York’s injury-ravaged offensive line, in the meantime, has given up 61 sacks — the second most within the NFL, per StatMuse.
Flacco could not have been the lacking piece to rework the Jets right into a playoff workforce. His resurgence, nevertheless, does make clear New York’s obvious refusal to signal a viable backup quarterback.
New York is unlikely to make the identical error once more this offseason, with Ryan Tannehill (Titans), Jacoby Brissett (Commanders), Jameis Winston (Saints) and different potential backups set to hit free company.
