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.
