Joe Flacco believes he can still be a starting quarterback

A year after showing little in being Drew Lock’s mentor in Denver, Joe Flacco has done a complete 180 and embraced such a role as Sam Darnold’s backup in 2020. However, the former Super Bowl MVP still thinks he’s capable starter in the NFL.

“For sure,” Flacco said Thursday on a conference call with reporters.”I mean, we’re talking about [being a backup] and that is my role, to help the team out, but I obviously still believe I’m a starting quarterback.”

Once a long-term starter in Baltimore and a lame-duck starter in Denver, Flacco has accepted the nature of his reality. Coming off neck surgery at 35 years old, Flacco will be reduced to a backup role in 2020, which is the perfect situation for him.  Flacco has a chance to rebound as he backs up Sam Darnold, who has missed six games over his first two seasons due to a foot injury and a bout with mononucleosis. The Jets are 0-6 in Darnold’s absence.

“You never know what three years down the line is going to look like,” Flacco said. “So I have that confidence and I still have the [desire] do that.

“But at this moment, that’s not my role. My role is to help the team get better and to help a young quarterback see things as clearly as possible and help him with his journey to be a longtime NFL quarterback.”

For Flacco to regain his form, he knows that accepting a reduced role is the best career move. After using his Joe Douglas connection to earn a $1.5 million deal, Flacco fully comprehends that it’s his responsibility to ensure that Darnold continues on a path to become the Jets’ answer at quarterback. That wasn’t exactly the viewpoint that Flacco took with Lamar Jackson and Lock, as he fought to keep his hold on the starting quarterback position.

With Flacco onboard and embracing his role, the Jets have a formidable veteran in the quarterback room who can extend his knowledge and leadership to both Darnold and fourth-round pick James Morgan.