:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66834036/1194336895.jpg.0.jpg)
If this is the Friday holiday news dump, it’s a light one for the NFL. Free agent quarterback Joe Flacco is set to sign with the New York Jets, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He is signing a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, with incentives that could bring it up to $3 million.
Flacco had neck surgery and is not expected to be cleared until early September, according to Schefter. He is signing to compete as Sam Darnold’s backup. The Jets depth chart current includes Darnold, David Fales, James Morgan, and Mike White.
A healthy Flacco offers some decent backup value behind Darnold. It might cut into the long-term developmental value of the other three quarterbacks behind Darnold, but if the Jets think they can be a competitor this year, a solid backup is useful.
The question for now is just what kind of competition they can provide in 2020. They have turned over a chunk of their receiver corps, with second round pick Denzel Mims in a decent position to get serious run right out of the gate. That plus the addition of first round tackle Mekhi Becton offers a chance for some improvement for Darnold.