One of the most intriguing free agents this year in the NFL was quarterback Matt Flynn formerly of the Green Bay Packers. He was intriguing because there is so much that is unknown about him. It is almost like drafting a rookie quarterback, but Flynn has played sparingly in NFL games and has started two games. Flynn played very well in those two games, but it is hard to judge a player off just two games. There have been many cases of quarterbacks playing sparingly and playing well to only to falter later on in their careers.
The most recent example is Kevin Kolb, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, who is now a member of the Arizona Cardinals. In July 2011, the Cardinals gave up Pro Bowl cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick in 2012. The Cardinals then turned around and gave Kolb a 5-year $63 million deal with $27 million guaranteed. Also, just recently they had to give Kolb a $7 million roster bonus. The Cardinals did this after seeing Kolb started only 7 games and played in a total of 19 games completing 194 passes for 2082 yards and 11 touchdowns in his four years as an Eagle. Now Kolb has only been in Arizona for a year and could have a much better year this year than he did last year. It is hard to judge a player off one year, in a new place and system, not sure he will be much better but only time will tell.
Flynn has actually played 34 games, most coming in 2009 when he played in 15 games. He has started two games over his four-year career both of which have come in the last two years, one in 2010 and 2011. Flynn has completed 82 passes for 1,015 yard and 9 touchdowns. Recently, he signed a 3-year $26 million ($10 million guaranteed) with Seattle Seahawks. By most reports of the deal it is truly a 2-year deal worth between $13.5-16 million over the course of those two years.
This is a great deal for both the Seahawks and Flynn. Seahawks are only committed for 2 years at a cheap price, if he turns into a franchise quarterback many people believe he can be for the Seahawks. It is great for Flynn because he will be a starter in one of the weakest divisions in football where he can prove that he is a starter. If he does pan out the Seahawks will most likely extend the contract in the middle of or after the 2nd year of the contract. Seahawks also got Flynn for a million dollars less then what the Cardinals gave Kolb in guaranteed money. It is somewhat ironic that Flynn chose the Seahawks because the last Green Bay backup quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, to leave also went to the Seahawks. The Seahawks and their fans are hoping Flynn turns out to be just as good as Hasselbeck was for them.
Flynn should work out for the Seahawks, but there are just as much risk here as with drafting a quarterback in the first round, simply because so much unknown. However, instead of being tied to a first round quarterback for 4-5 years, the Seahawks are only tied for two years, but it should be much more then that as Flynn should thrive with this chance to start. This could turn out to be the best signing of the 2012 free agency period, yes even better then Mario Williams. Reason for that is franchise quarterbacks are harder to find than a pass rush specialist.
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