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Journeyman QB Listed as Possible Patriots Offseason Target

Veteran QB Joe Flacco has been linked as a potential offseason target for the New England Patriots. Could he be Drake Maye's backup next season?

By Devon Platana

Mike Vrabel addresses media at a press conference to announce his hiring as the New England Patriots head coach at Gillette Stadium.
Mike Vrabel addresses media at a press conference to announce his hiring as the New England Patriots head coach at Gillette Stadium. / Eric Canha-Imagn Images
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The New England Patriots are ready for a busy offseason after announcing Mike Vrabel as their new head coach last week.

After going 4-13 last season, there are several areas the Patriots can't afford to ignore in the coming months — especially the quarterback room. Drake Maye is the franchise's No. 1 signal-caller going forward, however, New England could be wise to improve its backup QB situation after Jacoby Brissett left much to be desired during last year's reunion.

As it turns out, the Patriots are already eyeing a specific name to be next season's QB2.

Patriots Reportedly Eyeing QB Joe Flacco in Free Agency

On Sunday, Sportskeeda's Tony Pauline reported that veteran QB Joe Flacco intends to play his 18th NFL season in 2025. The NFL insider then revealed that the Patriots are one of the teams likely in the mix for the former Super Bowl MVP's services.

"I'm told to keep an eye on the San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New England Patriots as suitors for Flacco in the offseason, as all would look for a veteran backup," Pauline wrote.

Flacco, 40, is a battle-prove gunslinger with over 200 starts between the NFL regular season and playoffs under his belt. Although the former 2008 first-rounder is no longer in his prime, he's effectively proven that he can still be a reliable backup option based on the last few seasons.

Spending the 2024 campaign with the Indianapolis Colts, Flacco proved that he still has some juice left in the tank. The 6-foot-6 quarterback ended up making eight appearances (six starts) in relief for the oft-injured Anthony Richardson, completing 65.3% of passes — matching his career high— for 1,761 passing yards with 12 touchdowns to seven interceptions.

For comparison, Brissett finished with a 59.0% completion rate in five starts for the Patriots, finishing with only 826 yards, two TDs, and an INT.

Additionally, the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year's winning experience (105-86 all-time record, Super Bowl ring, etc.) could rub off on Maye, making him even more of a leader throughout the rest of his New England tenure.

Having proven himself as one of the league's top backup QBs, Flacco will likely attract a ton of attention in free agency. Even if the competition for his services is fierce, the Patriots will have the edge given that their $125.7 million in available cap space ranks first in the NFL, per Spotrac.

More about a potential Flacco-Patriots signing will be revealed closer to free agency, which begins on Wednesday, March 12.

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