New England Patriots Sign Journeyman Matt Flynn

Photo © Brett Carlsen/Getty Images.

In a necessary but still surprising move, the New England Patriots have signed Matt Flynn to a one-year contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Patriots Sign Journeyman Matt Flynn

The Patriots are in desperate need of a third QB on their roster. With Tom Brady likely suspended due to deflate-gate and the cutting of one-year veteran Garrett Gilbert, they needed to fill that void. So the Pats have gone out and signed longtime journeyman Matt Flynn; he will likely slide into that number three spot, behind the current number two — and possible day one starter — Jimmy Garoppolo.

Flynn began his career as a seventh round pick from LSU and Aaron Rodgers’ backup on the Green Bay Packers. But he got national acclaim when he started the final game of the 2011 season against the Detroit Lions. With the starters resting for the playoffs, Flynn led the Packers to a 45-41 victory with 480 passing yards and six touchdowns, which were both team records.

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Following the season, he signed a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks worth $20.5 million, with $9 million of it guaranteed. He was mainly brought in to compete with Tavaris Jackson and third round pick Russell Wilson, but he was still expected to start.

However, as most know, Wilson eventually got named the day one starter, resulting in Flynn later being traded to the Oakland Raiders for a fifth round 2014 pick and a conditional 2015 draft choice. Again, he was supposed to compete for the QB job against Tyler Wilson and Terrelle Pryor, but eventually lost the position to the latter. This made the Raiders’ decision imminent, as they cut him in October 2013.

He would then spend a month with the Buffalo Bills before finishing the 2013 season with the Green Bay Packers, as he eventually started a few games for the injured Aaron Rodgers. He stayed an additional year there before becoming a free agent this offseason.

In his seven-year career, Flynn garnered 2,541 yards, 17 touchdowns, eleven interceptions and the worst QBR for a 50-game starter since 2008 (27.7).