The Eagles are now at the mercy of the Jets, who have a chance to steal their season. Philadelphia has been unable to stay competitive for two straight games because they started backup quarterback Matt Moore instead of Carson Wentz. The decision may cost them more than just this game and could change what we think about Flacco as an NFL player after he led Baltimore back from a 10-point deficit against Kansas City yesterday and brought home his team’s first win in weeks.
Last month, the New York Jets made the perplexing choice to call up and trade for Joe Flacco from the Philadelphia Eagles. The trade didn’t make sense since the Jets aren’t in contention for the playoffs and have two young quarterbacks on the roster who should be developed.
New York’s decision to start Flacco against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday is even more dumb, allowing the Eagles to get an unexpected gift.
Joe Flacco is starting for the Jets against the Dolphins, which is a mistake.
Joe Flacco, a former quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles, warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders | Getty Images/Steve Marcus
When the Jets acquired Flacco a few weeks ago, few people expected to see him on the field this season. New York wants to give rookie first-round selection Zach Wilson as much playing time as possible this season, and the organization also wants to see whether Mike White can be a viable backup option in the future.
The Jets had some quarterback concern heading into Sunday’s game against the Dolphins, with Wilson still nursing a knee injury and White coming off a poor start against the Buffalo Bills. As a result, New York stated earlier this week that Flacco would start against Miami, which is a strange choice.
The Jets now feel Flacco provides them the greatest opportunity to win on Sunday, but that shouldn’t be the deciding factor. This club will not make the playoffs this year with a record of 3-7 after ten games. White is expected to be on the field this week, giving the Jets a clearer idea of whether they want to maintain him as Wilson’s backup.
When you examine the specifics of New York’s deal with Philadelphia, starting Flacco makes even less sense.
Thanks to Flacco, the Eagles might get a much-needed gift from the Jets.
Let’s go back to the day Flacco was traded to New York before he makes his first start of the season.
In October, the Eagles traded Flacco to the Jets for a conditional sixth-round selection in 2022. What is the situation? If Flacco plays more than half of the team’s snaps in at least four games this season, his sixth-round draft pick will be upgraded to a fifth-round pick next summer.
Philadelphia probably thought obtaining a fifth-round selection in this transaction was a pipe dream, but because to New York’s continual stupidity, it’s now a reality.
The Eagles will have a pivotal draft in 2022.
For Eagles supporters, seeing Flacco on the field this Sunday will be a wonderful sight, but the veteran quarterback will need to play in three more games before his fifth-round selection becomes a reality. Even if Flacco sits out the remainder of the season and Philadelphia only receives a sixth-round pick as a result of the deal, the Eagles are still in a strong position for the 2022 draft.
Due to the Carson Wentz deal, Philadelphia now has two first-round draft selections and is expected to get a third. The Eagles also have selections in the second, third, and fourth rounds, as well as three fifth-round picks unrelated to the Flacco selection.
Howie Roseman will have three first-round choices and ten total selections in the first five rounds of the 2022 draft if all goes according to plan. That’s how you get back on your feet.
However, Roseman’s ability to correctly predict the majority of those selections is a different story.
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