Matt Flynn is stuck behind Russell Wilson on the Seattle Seahawks depth chart and based on the way the team played last season, there is no way that is changing anytime soon unless the team decides to trade the quarterback to another franchise.
According to ESPN.com, the Seahawks have said that they are open to listening to deals for Flynn, but they will not trade him for below some value, including possible draft picks. Flynn originally signed with the team before last season after spending time as Aaron Rodgers' backup in Green Bay and he was looking for a chance to start. CBS Sports reports that the Raiders, Bills and Jaguars are all interested in the quarterback.
General manager John Schneider signed him to a three-year, $19.5-million deal and it looked as if he could be the starter, but head coach Pete Carroll saw something in Wilson. Despite conventional wisdom telling him not to, Carroll started Wilson and Seattle turned out to be Super bowl contenders, finishing with an 11-5 record and pushing the 49ers in the NFC West.
Wilson was electrifying for most of the season, which left Flynn on the sidelines, only getting a handful of snaps. The team defeated the Redskins before losing to the Falcons in the playoffs and now enters 2013 as prime Super Bowl contenders. Flynn is the odd man out and if he wants to start, he will need to be traded to someone like the Arizona Cardinals or the Buffalo Bills, two teams that cut their starting quarterbacks.
The Cardinals ditched Kolb after having an awful season and signing a six-year, $63.5 million contract after being traded from the Eagles. The Jets have shown interest and while the Cardinals could draft Geno Smith, they also have Drew Stanton, but he has not started a game in a number of years after playing with the Colts and the Lions. Although Flynn doesn't have much experience either, he has played on winning teams and has performed when he has had the chance.
While with the Packers Flynn passed for a team record six touchdowns and 480 yards in a win against the Lions and he has amassed over 1,000 yards passing while competing over 60 percent of his passes in his career. Another option for Flynn could be the Bills, as they released Ryan Fitzpatrick after two disappointing seasons.
Fitzpatrick signed a six-year $59 million contract, but he threw 16 interceptions for a team that ranked 25th in the NFL in passing and has needs all over the place. Flynn would be cheaper than Fitzpatrick was and he could provide a bridge for the team if they draft Geno Smith or Ryan Nassib, who was new head coach Doug Marrone's quarterback at Syracuse.
Fitzpatrick went just 20-33 as a starter and the team could see Flynn as someone that can give them a couple solid years before someone younger takes over, much like what Doug Flutie did for the team a number of years ago. Flynn has a $4 million cap hit for the Seahawks if they deal him and would cost $7.25 million if he stays, meaning they may want to get some compensation for a high-price backup.
The deals also could involve something with Tim Tebow, as he could go to the Bills or Raiders depending on what the Seahawks decided to do with Flynn. Colt McCoy could also be an option after the Browns signed Jason Campbell, making him expendable heading into next year
