What Green Bay Packers Will Do With Quarterback Matt Flynn
The Green Bay Packers agreed on a two-year, $14 million deal with tight end Jermichael Finley last week Wednesday which means they still have a franchise tag to use.
It is possible Green Bay will use the tag on a player such as veteran center Scott Wells. Franchise centers get $8.4 million which is a little over what the Packers would want to pay for him but it might be necessary to keep things the same for MVP Aaron Rodgers. It is crucial the Packers do everything they can to keep an offense that ranked third in passing yards (307.8), first in points per game (35), first in total points (560) and first in total touchdowns (70) in 2011 the same. Resigning Wells is a big piece to the puzzle, especially since he would be the most experienced offensive lineman for Green Bay.
Personally, I believe the Packers will go in a different direction and use the franchise tag on backup quarterback Matt Flynn. If they decide to use the tag on Flynn they would owe him $14.4 million, with the idea being of course to do a sign-and-trade. Green Bay is not in the business of training talented players and letting them go for nothing. That is simply not how general manager Ted Thompson operates so best way to maximize the value of Flynn is to sign him and trade him to a team that needs a talented quarterback.
Flynn is better than drafting Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III because he has proven he can play at the professional level. In the two games Flynn has started in his career he has completed 54 of 81 attempts for 734 yards and nine touchdowns. Against the Detroit Lions in week 17 last season he set two Packer franchise records with 480 passing yards and six touchdowns. He is more than qualified to lead a team of his very own and NFL owners know you can’t put a price on the security of the quarterback position which makes Flynn very valuable.
Earlier this year, I wrote an article titled Top Ten NFL Teams Matt Flynn Could Start For Next Season. The Washington Redskins were my No. 1 team to sign him in free agency and they could still be a team willing to trade for him.
The Redskins desperately need a good quarterback and Rex Grossman is not the answer. Head coach Mike Shanahan and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan are in a bind because they have yet to deliver after taking over the team two years ago. They need to shake things up and acquire a quarterback that can deliver for them. Owner Dan Snyder famously signed Albert Haynesworth to a ridiculous seven-year, $100 million contract and is known for outbidding everyone around him. He should be the prime target for the Packers to focus their energy as he could be willing to give up several draft picks for Flynn. Remember, the Redskins have the No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.
The Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars are other good teams that would be willing to part ways with draft picks in order to pick up a solid quarterback. The Dolphins may be the best place for Flynn as former Packer offensive coordinator Joe Philbin is now the head coach. Philbin has most likely been making his case to acquire Flynn since Miami began the interview process with him. The Jaguars on the other hand desperately need to put fans in the stands and Flynn could be that guy. Not to mention, first year player Blaine Gabbert is clearly not ready for the NFL and could use some time sitting behind a proven quarterback.
The Packers have several players to use their franchise tag on but Flynn is clearly the best answer. It would be foolish and irresponsible of Thompson to let Flynn walk without getting something for him. Green Bay will sign Flynn and trade him for multiple draft picks as they continue to build their way back to the Super Bowl.
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