The NY Jets made the correct decision signing Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco is a perfect fit for the NY Jets and the team was wise to sign him

News broke on Friday that the NY Jets are signing veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to a one-year contract for $1.5 million, plus another $3 million in incentives, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

At first glance, Jets fans may question this decision. After all, they (hopefully) have their franchise quarterback already in Sam Darnold. And Flacco is now 35 and is coming off a neck injury.

In spite of the injury risk, signing Flacco was a great move for the Jets. Here’s why.

The NY Jets desperately needed a backup quarterback

While the Jets believe in Darnold, the young quarterback has yet to start all 16 games in a season.

Last year was especially brutal for the Jets, as the team was forced to play its third-string quarterback as early as the second game of the season.

It is impossible to be completely prepared for everything, but the Jets (and every team for that matter) should at least have a capable backup quarterback who can fill in and win games when needed.

David Fales was the team’s No. 2 quarterback, and he was not going to cut it. Bringing in Flacco was a huge upgrade at an essential position.

Joe Flacco gets a one-year, $1.5M contract from the #Jets, with incentives that could take it up to $4.5M, per @AdamSchefter.

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) May 22, 2020

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The NY Jets found a solid bargain in Joe Flacco

As has been mentioned, the Jets signed Flacco to a one-year contract worth between $1.5-4.5 million.

When compared to the rest of this year’s free-agent market for quarterbacks, it is clear the Jets got good market value with this signing.

Flacco’s contract is in the similar range of other veteran quarterbacks now relegated to backup roles, including Andy Dalton ($3 million), Colt McCoy ($2.25 million), and Jameis Winston ($1.1 million).

Jets general manager Joe Douglas was a scout for Baltimore when the Ravens drafted Flacco. Flacco was Douglas’ guy, and he brought him to the Jets without breaking the bank.

Despite his age and injury history, the Jets have reasons to be optimistic about what Flacco can do this upcoming season.

Flacco underwent neck surgery to repair a herniated disc in April, and he will not be cleared for contact for months. However, the Jets and their medical staff clearly believe that Flacco will be able to play by the time the regular season begins in September.

Assuming that gamble works out, the Jets will be getting a consistently above-average veteran quarterback to back up Darnold.

Over a 12-year career, Flacco has averaged 18.2 touchdown passes against 11.8 interceptions per season. His career completion percentage sits right around 62 percent.

Those numbers won’t excite anyone, but they are respectable. And they are certainly better than the numbers put up by most No. 2 quarterbacks in the NFL.

Bottom line

The Jets entered this offseason with plenty of holes, particularly on offense (i.e. wide receiver, offensive line, backup quarterback).

Through the draft and cost-conscious free agent signings, Douglas has effectively addressed most of those needs.

His decision to sign Flacco may be a final step in that process.