The New England Patriots have signed Matt Flynn to a free agent deal and now he joins Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo on the roster after Garrett Gilbert was waived and he could be an option to start for the team if Brady is suspended for part of the 2015 season for his role in Deflategate.
Flynn comes in with some starting experience and according to Dianna Russini of ESPN, Flynn signed after working out with the team on Wednesday. Flynn also could serve as the backup for Garoppolo if he gets the starting nod over Flynn for Brady if the suspension holds up. Flynn has more experience than Gilbert, as he has previously started games for the Packers while Aaron Rodgers was injured.
Flynn started four games for the Packers in 2013 and that saw him pass for 1,146 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Flynn has bounced around with a few teams and all this comes after he previously signed a lucrative contract with the Seahawks and free agency and then was beaten out by Russell Wilson for the starting job. Flynn previously played against the Patriots with the Packers, passing for 251 yards and three touchdowns in 2011.
The Patriots also waived Tim Wright and now Flynn comes in to give the Pats a solid veteran backup option to go along with Garoppolo. Even if Flynn doesn't end up playing for the Pats at all, it gives the team some insurance in case Garoppolo falters or is injured, as Gilbert had no experience and was coming in as a free agent after he was previously drafted by the Rams in the sixth round in 2014.
Garoppolo spent the season as the backup to Brady last year and he is the presumptive option after being taken in the second round of the draft in 2014. Garoppolo threw 27 passes last season and completed 19 for 182 yards and one touchdown. Garoppolo was very impressive at Eastern Illinois, passing for 5,050 yards and 53 touchdowns in 2013 and putting up over 100 in his career at the school.
PFT reports that the quarterback's personal coach said that Garoppolo is "ready" and that Brady has done good work with him as his backup. It does show confidence that the Pats were comfortable with Garoppolo as the backup after trading Ryan Mallett last year. There is a chance that Brady could get the suspension reduced or overturned on appeal, but as it stands now he will be out for four games.