Matt Flynn signed a lucrative free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks last offseason that everyone figured would entrench him as the team’s starting quarterback going forward. Nobody believed Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll when he said that an undersized former baseball player drafted in the third round could actually push Flynn and become the franchise quarterback as soon as his rookie season. Flynn signed a big deal and the other kid was expected to compete for a back up spot.
Of course, Russell Wilson had different plans for his rookie season with the Seahawks in 2012, to which Carroll agreed that the former North Carolina State Wolfpack and Wisconsin Badgers signal caller would play an instant role in the success in Seattle.
That makes two things crystal clear. First, Carroll may actually know what he is talking about, and Flynn has already become extremely expendable.
With that being said, could the Seahawks trade Flynn this offseason, just less than one year after they rewarded him for his spot start duty with the Green Bay Packers with a big three year contract?
It could be tricky.
The Seahawks would love to trade Flynn. He will be making over $5 million from the bench if Seattle fails to move him before the 2013 NFL season. Teams such as the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals could all be in the market for a new starting quarterback entering next season.
Problem is, why would a team give up even a late round draft pick for a player when they can probably afford to wait for the Seahawks to cut him? Unless a team is willing to overpay to acquire him, Seattle may be forced to eat a portion of Flynn’s contract and simply release him.
Chalk it up to a bad move.
Or, if you are one of the few optimistic and cheery people out there, chalk it up to a solid draft in 2012. After all, very few people projected Wilson to be the rookie quarterback who took his team the farthest, especially when you consider the players who were drafted ahead of him, including Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill and Brandon Weeden, just to name a few.
Either way, expect Flynn to be wearing a different uniform in 2013, regardless of whether the move happens via trade or a cut to clear up some salary cap space.
If you one of these teams, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals, wouldn’t you rather give up a middle round draft choice for your quarterback or get in a bidding war over him?
I can’t see any team going after Flynn in a trade scenario. I think he’s locked in to a ridiculously high contract for the calibre player he has shown to be and I don’t see Seattle paying him that kind of cash to ride the bench.
It may be an interesting bidding war though once they do cut him. Mayb an ESPN decision special hosted by LeBron James?
That’s jus the issue; Matt hasn’t had the chance to show the calibre of player he is. Remember when Kurt Warner got hurt and unproven Bolger came in and threw like a pro bowler. I think Flynn is that kind of guy too. Hope he gets his chance.
Are you saying Flynn may be the next Brady? Did he not have a shot when Rodgers wasn’t medically cleared to play? He had a shot against the Pats! I’m not saying he’s garbage by any means, I just don’t think he’ll end up being labeled anything above “serviceable”.
The Hawks are 23 mil.under the cap.Wilson is set to make around 400,000. They are only paying 6mil for the qb position. T Jac fetched a 7 round pic last year. The Hawks are still paying 4 mil. less than they were in 2011. This article is a little light on the common sense side of how the Hawks value the position and a lack of understanding of how John and Pete operate.
Mike said it above me, people act like those are Seattle’s only options. They could just keep him as the backup…The Seattle’s front office is a very smart…I trust they will do whats best for them either way.
I believe he is guaranteed 5mill as part of his contract. I don’t see them cutting him so they can pay him to paly for someone else. If they don’t get a decent trade offer I look for them to ride his contract out then cut him