Saleh: Flacco 'is a starting quarterback in this league'

Joe Flacco Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jets HC Robert Saleh: Backup Joe Flacco 'is a starting quarterback in this league'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 8/3/22

The New York Jets enter the 2022 with second-year pro Zach Wilson as their starting quarterback. Unlike in areas like Carolina and Seattle, there appears to be no training camp competition for "Gang Green's" QB1 gig.

After all, New York used the second overall pick in last year's draft to select Wilson (who turned 23 on Wednesday), and despite some ups and downs during his rookie season, he still has a potentially bright future ahead. Behind Wilson on the Jets' depth chart is a signal-caller on the other end of the spectrum in 37-year-old Joe Flacco.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh discussed Flacco's role on the team Wednesday and made some comments that have already started to raise eyebrows.

"Joe Flacco is a starting quarterback in this league. He's really, really talented."

- Robert Saleh pic.twitter.com/B44q9nqQwF
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) August 3, 2022

Wilson missed four games during the 2021 campaign due to a knee injury, giving way to a rotating group of signal-callers, including Flacco, Mike White and Josh Johnson. In 13 contests, Wilson finished last season with a 55.6% completion percentage for 2,334 passing yards, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while rushing 29 times for 185 yards and tying for the team lead with four touchdowns on the ground.

In two games (one start) last year, Flacco went 27-for-42 for 338 passing yards, three touchdowns and 0 interceptions.

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