The New England Patriots sign quarterback Matt Flynn
Friday 12 June 2015 14:58, UK
The New England Patriots have signed veteran quarterback Matt Flynn on a one-year deal.
The move came on the same day the Patriots announced the release of second-year quarterback Garrett Gilbert in order to make room for Flynn.
Flynn will assume the number three quarterback spot behind starter Tom Brady and 2014 second-round pick Jimmy Garoppolo.
Brady has been suspended for the first four games of the season as a result of the findings of an investigation into allegations that the Patriots illegally deflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game.
Brady has appealed the suspension and that appeal is scheduled to be heard by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on June 23.
The Patriots have typically carried two quarterbacks in recent seasons but Brady’s suspension necessitates carrying an experienced back-up for Garoppolo, who has never started an NFL game.
Flynn was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2008 draft and backed up Aaron Rodgers for four seasons.
The 29-year-old has seven career starts and his first came against the Patriots. In 2010, filling in for an injured Rodgers, Flynn went 24 of 37 for 251 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception in a 31-27 loss to New England.
Flynn also played for the Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills before rejoining Green Bay last season.
In addition to releasing Gilbert the Patriots also waived tight end Tim Wright, who was acquired in addition to a fourth-round pick in the trade that sent Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay last season.
Wright appeared to get off to a strong start in New England and caught fire in the middle of the season as he caught six touchdowns during a seven-game stretch.
He was phased out later in the season however and caught just three passes in the final eight games including the playoffs.
The additions of fellow tight ends Scott Chandler and Fred Davis in free agency as well as Arkansas’ AJ Derby in the draft made Wright surplus to requirements in New England.
