Can Mike White beat out Joe Flacco for the NY Jets' backup QB job?

October 31st, 2021. Halloween. Backup quarterback Mike White led the NY Jets to an improbable victory over the eventual AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals. White would end up throwing for over 400 yards in a historic performance that earned him an exhibit in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Fast-forward 10 months and White is now in a training camp competition for the backup quarterback job on the Jets' roster in 2022. He will have to beat out 37-year-old veteran quarterback Joe Flacco.

Can he do it? That is what we're here to discuss in this article.

White may be the fan favorite, but I believe his actual chances of making the Jets' 53-man roster are surprisingly slim. Now, this is in no way a reflection on White as a quarterback. I actually believe that he is one of the league's better backup quarterbacks.

Why Mike White probably won't be the NY Jets' backup quarterback

The problem is that Flacco is a seasoned veteran who already has developed a very good rapport with Zach Wilson. On top of this, the Jets traded a draft asset, something we know general manager Joe Douglas greatly values, to acquire him mid-season last year.

For these reasons, Flacco likely has the inside track to win the backup job during training camp this summer.

The Jets are highly unlikely to carry three quarterbacks, as they have many other very deep positions that need extra roster spots, such as the defensive line. Because of this, White, assuming he doesn't win the backup job, will most likely be relegated to the practice squad.

He may even be used as trade bait for a team looking for quality quarterback depth. We've seen Douglas swing lesser players for picks, such as Chris Herndon and Blake Cashman. I have a feeling that if White can't win the backup job, he may be able to net the Jets a late-round pick.

Overall, this is a good problem to have — two quality backups likely battling for a spot on the roster. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong.