Joe Flacco against the Giants Aug 28, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) throws the ball during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco appears “more than likely” to get the start for the New York Jets in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns, head coach Robert Saleh told reporters Monday.

Flacco threw for 309 yards in the Jets’ 24-9 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, completing 37-of-59 attempts, with one touchdown and one interception. The Ravens also sacked Flacco three times. The 37-year-old veteran was unexpectedly thrust into the starting job last week after second-year quarterback Zach Wilson suffered a knee injury in the preseason that is expected to sideline him for at least two more games.

The Jets could do worse than the veteran Flacco in the interim, as the former Super Bowl-winning quarterback has the experience, even if he has lost some mobility to age (and he was never exactly Lamar Jackson in the first place).

However, third-string quarterback Mike White may offer more upside than Flacco. Although the 27-year-old former Dallas Cowboys draft pick did not see his first NFL regular season action until 2021, he turned heads in Week 8 with a 405-yard, three-touchdown performance in a 34-31 win against the Cincinnati Bengals.

For now, Saleh appears ready to stick with Flacco, although Jets fans took to Twitter to disagree with the decision.

[NBC Sports Edge]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.