Joe Flacco becomes the New York Jets’ third starting quarterback of 2021
According to a report from ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the New York Jets are turning to Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback in Week 11 with the Miami Dolphins coming to MetLife Stadium.
BREAKING: In a surprise, the Jets are planning to start Joe Flacco vs Miami, source tells ESPN. Zach Wilson still not 100%. Flacco’s experience likely a big factor in the decision, facing blitz-heavy D. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 17, 2021
Wilson is “still not 100%,” per Cimini. The rookie will miss his fourth consecutive start.
Flacco was inactive in each of his first two games with the Jets after being acquired from Philadelphia. In his third, Flacco was the backup to Mike White and replaced White in the fourth quarter, finishing the game with three completions on three attempts for 47 yards and a touchdown to Elijah Moore.
White heads back to the bench after a disastrous start against the Bills in which he completed 24 of 44 passes for 251 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Following Wilson’s injury, the Jets acquired Flacco from the Eagles for a conditional sixth-round pick that will upgrade to a fifth-round pick if Flacco plays more than 50% of the team’s offensive snaps in four games.
Flacco will make his first start since Week 11 of 2020, when he played decently in the Jets’ 34-28 loss to the Chargers in Los Angeles.
The opponent in front of the Jets could be a factor in Robert Saleh’s decision. Miami’s defense is hot, allowing 19 points over its last two games. Most recently, the Dolphins befuddled the Ravens’ electric offense with an extremely blitz-heavy and man-coverage-heavy approach. That style would have been a difficult one for Wilson to play against in his return.
Following their game against the Dolphins, the Jets will head out to Houston for a matchup with the lowly Texans.
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Anybody who watched the 3 throws Flacco completed and compares those to any throw from Mike White over his 2-ish games can see the difference between the two players. It’s pretty clear, Flacco is better and gives the team the best chance to win. I appreciate White’s professionalism and it was lots of fun when they caught Cincy flat, and off guard and crushed them with dump downs but that’s only lightning in a bottle. He played his first career snaps against NE after being in the league for a couple of years for a reason. He’s just not that good. Starting Flacco is the move and as far as I’m concerned, leave him in there a couple more weeks. The Jets have a competitive opportunity with the upcoming schedule and winning games is the BEST thing for the growth of the ENTIRE TEAM. They have done a lot to focus on Zach’s progress, he’s played a bunch of snaps, time to let him get 100% and learn to play QB in practice, and get the guy under center who has the best chance to help the team win. Right now, that’s Joe Flacco.
This losing culture has to stop, not being surprised by blowout losses has to stop, the team playing disjointed football has to stop. They can no longer put the development of the QB over the development of the entire team. Zach can wait his turn, and if it ignites a fire, and he misses playing, then maybe it will help his decision making when he gets back in there. Knowing he can’t just be reckless or he’ll sit might just make him more focused and have a positive impact on his decision making. If he loves the game as much as we have been lead to believe, as much as he says, then sitting will make him better. If it doesn’t then they got the wrong guy.
I think Wilson just needs to learn that it’s ok to spread the ball around and not look for Davis to get open.