4 viable backup QBs NY Giants should consider in 2020
Joe Flacco
From one gunslinging former NY Jets backup to another.
The sudden and immediate rise of Lamar Jackson makes it easy to forget about his predecessor, Joe Flacco.
While Flacco has never been a Pro Bowl quarterback, let alone a threat with his legs, he is a Super Bowl MVP. Further, he sports a 10-5 playoff record, helping lead the Ravens to five consecutive playoff berths and six overall in his 11 years with the team.
Flacco is like a diet Eli Manning. No one will assume too much from him, no one is going to leave a QB spy on him in case he slowly trots past the line of scrimmage. But you can’t discount someone with as much playoff experience as he’s had, even if he’s gone 6-15 as a starter since 2018.
This year proved that Flacco still has plenty of arm left in the tank. While he was the Jets’ starter, he breathed life in an otherwise lifeless team, often being the one who would take chances downfield.
In his four games as a starter in 2020, he threw for 864 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. What’s positive about these pedestrian stats is he matched his 2019 touchdown total in half of the games played.
A gunslinger by nature will have more turnovers than the average quarterback. And Flacco has never had a complete season in which he has thrown fewer than 10 interceptions.
But the best thing a quarterback can have is a short memory. Flacco might help develop Daniel Jones’ ability to throw the long ball, and just as importantly, help him shake off any deep balls that inevitably get picked off.
Flacco has also now had three years under his belt in a backup role. He graciously stood by while the Ravens moved from him to Jackson. He only played half the season as a starter in Denver before passing the reins to Drew Lock. And in NY, he only played while Darnold was injured.
He can perform a similar mentor role to Daniel Jones without the risk of attempting any late-career resurgence.
Flacco might also be the best bang for the Giants’ dollar. The Jets signed the Super Bowl MVP to a one-year, $1.5 million contract, which was less than what the Giants gave to Colt McCoy.
His playoff experience alone could be worth it for the Giants to keep him on the bench, especially since the goal for the GMen next season should be becoming a playoff contender.