New England Patriots Sign Quarterback Matt Flynn

Photo Credit: AP/Newsday

As we have probably heard the last of the ‘Deflate Gate’ propaganda for some time, the New England Patriots have signed former Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn to a one-year deal. Due to iconic quarterback Tom Brady‘s four-game suspension, the Patriots had to look elsewhere for a backup option.

Flynn took the National Football League by storm late in the 2010 and 2011 season. Flynn was set to face the Patriots in 2010, and remarkably fell just shy of a victory. Flynn’s statistics would go along lines of 251 yards and three touchdowns. During week 17 of the 2011 season against the Detroit Lions, Flynn tossed for 480 yards and six touchdowns, ending the Packers 2012 season with a tally in the win column.

Following his career game, as he played the presumable back-up role, Flynn bolted for Seattle, inking a three-year deal worth $26 million with $10 million guaranteed. Soon enough, Flynn’s time in Seattle would be short-lived, as Russell Wilson earned the job over Flynn, and would be traded to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for a fifth-round pick.

Living up to expectations would be an understatement. The Raiders would release the quarterback, but with a price to pay. With the Raiders, Flynn’s contract contained a $6.5 million guaranteed. With two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders, Flynn has made a wealthy $14.5 million in exchange of one start.

The path to finding a job did not end for Flynn; ultimately, Flynn would find himself back in Green Bay as the back-up yet again.

Now, as the Patriots have inked Flynn to a deal, but not expecting him to perform as a starter. With Brady’s uncertainty for the first four games, the Patriots would need an individual to back-up second-string quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. If something occurs to Garoppolo, ineffectiveness or injury, the Patriots have an additional arm to take a look at in Flynn.

The signing of Flynn is to install a sense of stability within the quarterback questions, as the Brady saga looms.