Flacco plans to be competitor, not just mentor in Philly
In between the hometown banter, Joe Flacco made it clear Thursday that he’s coming to the Eagles to compete, and that will be his role in the quarterbacks room alongside Jalen Hurts, the club’s starter last four games of the 2020 season.
Flacco, 36, started 12 of 13 games he suited up for with the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets since being released by the Baltimore Ravens after the 2018 season. The resident of Voorhees, N.J. sidestepped specific questions about being a mentor for Hurts, who contacted him first, via a text message, and competing for the starting job. Flacco signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Eagles with another $4 million in playing time incentives.
“Right now, I’m here to play a part in the role of a 53-man roster that wants to win a lot of football games,” Flacco said. “Obviously, I’m a competitor and listen, I think all those things and being competitive brings out the best in a room, anyway, and brings out the best in a football team. That’s really the conversation we’ve had at this point.”
What appealed to Flacco about the Eagles beyond location was 39-year-old head coach Nick Sirianni and his staff, not necessarily the offense Flacco was unable to describe, having touched on it only “a little bit.
“It was really more just getting to know these guys,” Flacco said. “I think a lot of the positives revolved around that. It seems like a really young coaching staff that has a lot to prove. And any time you have a bunch of guys that want to prove a lot in this league and win a lot of games and that’s their main focus, those are the things that stick out at you. I love that Nick and Shane (Steichen) and all the guys on that offensive side of the ball are guys that want to make a name for themselves and do that by winning in Philadelphia.”
The Eagles are the first stop where 13-year veteran Flacco is older than the offensive coordinator and the quarterbacks coach. Steichen, the offensive coordinator, is 35. Quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson is 34.
“I don’t think that’s a bad sign,” Flacco said. “The longer you can stay around, hopefully that happens at some point.”
Flacco was 96-67 as the starter for the Baltimore Ravens,
who took the University of Delaware product off the board with the 18th pick in the 2008 NFL draft. The Ravens made six playoff appearances and in 2012, he led them to a Super Bowl XLVII victory over the San Francisco 49ers, garnering MVP honors. Flacco signed a record $120.6 million contract after the season but that was the only time he reached the Super Bowl.
Though Flacco said location wasn’t the overriding factor in signing with the Eagles, returning to South Jersey has been a lot of fun for the guy who grew up in Audubon.
“It’s exciting,” Flacco said. “I’ve definitely been getting a lot of attention from all my buddies back at home recently. But listen, I grew up in this town and I know what it’s like. There can be a lot of positives and
there can be a lot of negatives about that, just knowing what we’re like around here. So, I just anticipate it being a lot of fun. I’m really excited about it. I think it’s a great opportunity for me and my family just to be here, where we are and in a great situation. I’m excited about what the future brings and how it’s going to play out in this town. I know it’s a lot of passionate people that love football and love their sports in general. Like I said, it can be a fun ride.”
The first Eagles player who jumped off the tongue of Flacco was Fred Barnett,
the wide receiver who played into the 1990s. Flacco also had instant recollections of Keith Byars, the late Reggie White and Donovan McNabb, the latter for leading the Eagles to four straight NFC championship games from 200205.
“I’ve been back here when I was with Baltimore and I was always excited to come into this city and this field and get a chance to play against the Eagles,” Flacco said. “I always felt it meant a little bit more. So now I have the opportunity to put on this jersey. Hopefully I can represent it well.”