We haven't heard much from Joe Flacco lately. That may not come as a surprise to some—the country is largely quarantined and even at the height of his fame, Flacco was never one to make a splash (he famously celebrated a new contract by ordering 10-piece McNuggets from the McDonald's Drive-Thru). But it's still surprising the former Super Bowl MVP hasn't found a home yet in free agency. He's been out of work since the Broncos cut him last month.
Flacco discussed his continuing job search at length in a recent sit-down (virtually, of course) with Jeff Sversky of 6ABC in Philadelphia. The 12-year veteran, who grew up just a short drive from the cheesesteak capital (he hails from nearby Audubon, New Jersey), is hoping he can redeem himself after laboring through an injury-marred 2019 campaign in Denver. That was Flacco's first (and apparently only) season in the Mile-High City following an 11-year stint in Baltimore, which included a Super Bowl triumph over San Francisco in the famous "Harbaugh Bowl" staged in 2013. Despite his underwhelming reception in free agency (he's been flying solo for the better part of a month), Flacco is confident his right arm still has plenty more to give.
-- Joe Flacco still wants to play & I asked the free-agent QB about the possibility of going to the Eagles"I grew up with it... all my friends, live & die with the Eagles. There definitely be a lot of very cool things about that. You never know what the future holds"@6abc pic.twitter.com/goqWCycXUj
— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) April 13, 2020"I'm 35. That's not old," said the University of Delaware alum. "I do have plenty of years left in me. I'm anxious to get back out there and still prove what I can do." Even with quarterback vacancies in both New England and Los Angeles, the aging Flacco would probably be hard-pressed to find a starting job at this late juncture in his career. With that in mind, would Flacco consider a homecoming, potentially ending his career where it all started in the City of Brotherly Love? He didn't dismiss it.
"I live right in the heart of Eagles country," said Flacco, noticeably perking up when the subject was raised. "I grew up with it. All my friends, it's what they are. They live and die with the Eagles. There would definitely be a lot of really cool things about that. You never know what the future holds."
The Eagles appear to have piqued Flacco's interest, but is the feeling mutual? Franchise quarterback Carson Wentz could certainly benefit from a veteran mentor in Flacco's mold (Josh McCown filled that role for the Eagles last season), though it's unclear if the former Ravens gunslinger would be amenable to a backup job after so many years as a leading man. Despite his Philly ties, the Eagles might not be that eager to get in the sack with a declining 35-year-old coming off neck surgery. Mike Kaye of NJ Advance Media also points out that Flacco didn't mesh with Rich Scangarello (now an Eagles assistant) in Denver, making it unlikely the two would reunite in Philadelphia.
The Eagles certainly don't need Flacco, but if he's open to clipboard duty and willing to impart his many years of wisdom on Wentz at a semi-reasonable salary, GM Howie Roseman would be wise to entertain that possibility.
