The New York Jets have not started the 2020 NFL season the way they envisioned. They are currently 0-8 and have a tough road ahead of them. Before the season, the Jets decided to sign veteran Joe Flacco as the backup quarterback to Sam Darnold. Going into Week 9, Flacco will get the starting nod as Darnold is out with an injury.

Throughout his career, Flacco has had success as he won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens. Before Flacco entered the league, he spent his time playing at two colleges. 

Joe Flacco started his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens selected Flacco in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft. Kyle Boller was the Ravens’ starter when they drafted Flacco, but Boller suffered a season-ending injury, and Troy Smith had an illness. So that made Flacco the starting quarterback. Flacco took advantage of the opportunity during his rookie year, and he had an impressive season. 

He finished his rookie season, throwing for 2,971 yards and 14 touchdowns. Flacco was named the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year at the end of the 2008 season. The Ravens advanced to the playoffs his rookie year, and he became the third rookie in NFL history to win his first postseason start after the Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins. Baltimore lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship that year. After his rookie year, Flacco remained the starter for 11 seasons.

During the 2012 season, he led the Ravens to the Super Bowl, where they took on the San Francisco 49ers. Flacco threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns as the Ravens defeated the 49ers 34-31. He was named the Super Bowl MVP after his impressive performance. Flacco threw 11 touchdowns during the postseason, which tied him with Joe Montana and Kurt Warner for the most touchdowns during a single postseason. 

Flacco’s time in Baltimore came to an end in 2019

It seemed as if Flacco was going to finish his career with the Ravens. For 11 seasons, he was the team’s starting quarterback, and during that time, he brought a Super Bowl title to the franchise. In 2019, the Ravens agreed to trade Flacco to the Denver Broncos in exchange for their fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

During the 2019 season, he was forced to miss the second half of the season due to a neck injury he suffered during a game against the Indianapolis Colts. Flacco started in eight games for the Broncos and threw for 1,822 yards and six touchdowns. After the 2019 season, the Broncos released Flacco, and he signed a one-year deal with the Jets in May of 2020.

A look at Joe Flacco’s college career

A native of New Jersey, Flacco played football at Audubon High School. According to Rivals.com, he was a three-star recruit, and he committed to play at the University of Pittsburgh. Flacco did not see much playing time at Pittsburgh as he redshirted his freshman year in 2003. In 2004, he served as the backup quarterback to Tyler Palko, and Flacco only appeared in three games. He threw four passes and finished the season with one completion for 11 yards.

Flacco decided to transfer the next year and played for the University of Delaware, where he went on to have a lot of success. He was eligible to play in 2006, and he threw for 2,783 yards, 18 touchdowns. The 2007 season was a breakout season for Flacco as he led his team to an 8-3 record and finished the season with a total of 4,263 yards and 23 touchdowns. 

Flacco led Delaware to the FCS National Championship Game, where they lost to Appalachian State. During his time at Delaware, he set 20 school records, and he was named the ECAC Player of the Year and the CAA Co-Offensive Player of the Year.

Stats Courtesy of Pro Football Reference