FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — With Zach Wilson sidelined at least two games with a sprained knee, the New York Jets secured quarterback insurance on Monday. They reacquired Joe Flacco in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, both teams announced Monday. It cost the Jets a 2022 sixth-round conditional pick, which can improve to a fifth-round pick based on playing time for Flacco, who spent the 2020 season as the Jets’ backup under the previous coaching staff, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Mike White, who replaced Wilson in the second quarter of Sunday’s 54-13 loss to the New England Patriots, is poised to start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. But Flacco, 36, a former Super Bowl MVP with the Baltimore Ravens, provides insurance if White gets hurt or struggles.
White has no starting experience; his NFL debut was Sunday. The former Dallas Cowboys 2018 fifth-round pick completed 20-of-32 passes for 202 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions.
The Jets’ other option was to promote journeyman Josh Johnson from the practice squad, but he hasn’t played in a game since 2018.
Wilson, who has a Grade 2 PCL sprain, is expected to miss two to four weeks. Coach Robert Saleh said there’s a “possibility” that Wilson could play Nov. 14 against the Buffalo Bills.
Hours before the trade was finalized, Saleh gushed about his confidence in White.
“He’s a very calm man,” Saleh said. “He’s a great communicator, he’s got great command of the huddle. He’s got great command of the offense. He understands progression reads and how to go through a progression, get the ball where it needs to go. He understands how to slide in the pocket to throw instead of slide in the pocket to run. He doesn’t panic.”
Flacco, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Eagles, didn’t see any game action. Jalen Hurts has played every snap in seven starts. They also have former Jacksonville Jaguars starter Gardner Minshew on the bench and claimed quarterback Reid Sinnett off of waivers from the
Source : espn
