The Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers may each use a quarterback, and there are a number of former Tremendous Bowl MVPs nonetheless obtainable in free company. Whereas each groups have been linked to Aaron Rodgers, he’s not the one quarterback they’re at present doing their due diligence on.
The opposite Tremendous Bowl MVP drawing curiosity is Joe Flacco. Greater than 12 years after successful a championship, and at age 40, he’s nonetheless attracting consideration from quite a few NFL franchises.
The Free Company Marketplace for Joe Flacco
Flacco is reportedly garnering curiosity from a number of groups, with the Vikings and Steelers among the many best suitors.
These two playoff groups are nonetheless trying to find a quarterback, and Flacco might be the short-term resolution they want.
Sports activities Illustrated’s Albert Breer not too long ago weighed in on Flacco’s market.
“Joe Flacco visited the Giants final week—which was a means, I believe, for the crew to verify him out, and for Flacco to get his identify again in circulation. Sure, he’s 40. However as a one-year resolution, at a means cheaper charge than Cousins or Rodgers, I believe the man can nonetheless play. And the Browns, Steelers, and Vikings suppose sufficient of him nonetheless to have checked on him,” Breer reported.
Flacco may present groups with strong quarterback play for a yr. For the Vikings, signing him would permit Minnesota to ease J.J. McCarthy again from his damage final season whereas permitting him to be taught from a former Tremendous Bowl MVP. For the Steelers, Flacco could be a veteran presence who can nonetheless push the ball downfield and supply a dependable goal for his or her one-two punch of DK Metcalf and George Pickens.
Flacco doesn’t have a few years left within the league and received’t command a major contract. As Breer talked about, he could be a budget-friendly different to Rodgers or a possible commerce acquisition like Kirk Cousins from the Atlanta Falcons.
Flacco stays a serviceable passer, ending twenty third in PFSN’s QB+ metric with a 71.3 (C-) grade final season. He excelled from a clear pocket, posting a 0.34 EPA per dropback, however struggled below stress, the place his EPA per dropback dropped to -0.69.
Flacco is at his greatest when he’s behind an offensive line that may defend him from stress, so maybe the perfect touchdown spot for him is Minnesota, who ranked ninth in PFSN’s OL+ metric final yr. The Browns (twentieth), Steelers (twenty fifth), and Giants (twenty eighth) didn’t fare as properly.
Each the Steelers and Vikings boast a robust receiving corps, with Pittsburgh that includes Pickens and Metcalf, whereas Minnesota has Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Flacco is definitely able to getting the ball to the expertise surrounding him, and as a one-year rental, he might be an intriguing choice for both crew as they purpose to stay aggressive within the postseason hunt.
The place Does Flacco Rank Amongst Free Agent QBs?
There are at present 4 quarterbacks who stay unsigned who had been ranked on PFSN’s Prime 121 NFL Free Agent Rankings:
Aaron Rodgers (No. 53)
Russell Wilson (No. 51)
Jameis Winston (No. 115)
Joe Flacco (No. 121)
Among the many 9 quarterbacks who made the record to start out free company, these 4 choices are the highest remaining names, although another backup choices like Carson Wentz stay unsigned as properly.
Along with his QB+ grade of 71.3, Flacco ranked decrease than Wilson (75.3) and Rodgers (72.2) however above Winston (65.7), with Wentz solely beginning one sport and throwing 19 move makes an attempt all season, not qualifying for a QB+ rating.
Whereas being older than 40 doesn’t make Flacco a long-term choice for any franchise, his 76.8 QB+ grade in 2023 (fifteenth within the NFL that season) and playoff run with Cleveland may give a entrance workplace hope that they may seize the high-end variance he displayed.
