The Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers could both use a quarterback, and there are multiple former Super Bowl MVPs still available in free agency. While both teams have been linked to Aaron Rodgers, he’s not the only quarterback they’re currently doing their due diligence on.
The other Super Bowl MVP drawing interest is Joe Flacco. More than 12 years after winning a championship, and at age 40, he’s still attracting attention from numerous NFL franchises.
The Free Agency Market for Joe Flacco
Flacco is reportedly garnering interest from multiple teams, with the Vikings and Steelers among the most competitive suitors.
These two playoff teams are still searching for a quarterback, and Flacco could be the short-term solution they need.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer recently weighed in on Flacco’s market.
“Joe Flacco visited the Giants last week—which was a way, I think, for the team to check him out, and for Flacco to get his name back in circulation. Yes, he’s 40. But as a one-year solution, at a way cheaper rate than Cousins or Rodgers, I think the guy can still play. And the Browns, Steelers, and Vikings think enough of him still to have checked on him,” Breer reported.
Flacco could provide teams with solid quarterback play for a year. For the Vikings, signing him would allow Minnesota to ease J.J. McCarthy back from his injury last season while allowing him to learn from a former Super Bowl MVP. For the Steelers, Flacco would be a veteran presence who can still push the ball downfield and provide a reliable target for their one-two punch of DK Metcalf and George Pickens.
Flacco doesn’t have many years left in the league and won’t command a significant contract. As Breer mentioned, he would be a budget-friendly alternative to Rodgers or a potential trade acquisition like Kirk Cousins from the Atlanta Falcons.
Flacco remains a serviceable passer, finishing 23rd in PFSN’s QB+ metric with a 71.3 (C-) grade last season. He excelled from a clean pocket, posting a 0.34 EPA per dropback, but struggled under pressure, where his EPA per dropback dropped to -0.69.
Flacco is at his best when he’s behind an offensive line that can protect him from pressure, so perhaps the best landing spot for him is Minnesota, who ranked ninth in PFSN’s OL+ metric last year. The Browns (20th), Steelers (25th), and Giants (28th) didn’t fare as well.
Both the Steelers and Vikings boast a strong receiving corps, with Pittsburgh featuring Pickens and Metcalf, while Minnesota has Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Flacco is certainly capable of getting the ball to the talent surrounding him, and as a one-year rental, he could be an intriguing option for either team as they aim to remain competitive in the postseason hunt.
Where Does Flacco Rank Among Free Agent QBs?
There are currently four quarterbacks who remain unsigned who were ranked on PFSN’s Top 121 NFL Free Agent Rankings:
- Aaron Rodgers (No. 53)
- Russell Wilson (No. 51)
- Jameis Winston (No. 115)
- Joe Flacco (No. 121)
Among the nine quarterbacks who made the list to start free agency, these four options are the top remaining names, though some other backup options like Carson Wentz remain unsigned as well.
With his QB+ grade of 71.3, Flacco ranked lower than Wilson (75.3) and Rodgers (72.2) but above Winston (65.7), with Wentz only starting one game and throwing 19 pass attempts all season, not qualifying for a QB+ score.
While being older than 40 does not make Flacco a long-term option for any franchise, his 76.8 QB+ grade in 2023 (15th in the NFL that season) and playoff run with Cleveland can give a front office hope that they could capture the high-end variance he displayed.