NFL Trade Rumors: New York Jets to Sign New England Patriots Ex-QB Matt Flynn; Geno Smith Sub Ryan Fitzpatrick Has 'Nothing To Brag' After Detroit Lions Lost

Aug 15, 2015 02:38 AM EDT

It looks like the New York Jets are stuck with one injured player to another. With the injury incurred by NFL quarterback Geno Smith in a locker room scuffle with IK Enemkpali earlier this month, the New York Jets are now scrambling to workout with potential players to fill in the spot. With only two rookies, Bryce Petty and Jake Heaps, to serve as the possible backups for No. 2 New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the NFL team is currently on the lookout for a more experienced player to serve as substitute.

The departure of free agent Matt Flynn from the New England Patriots now presents a viable option for the New York Jets. However, it should be noted that Flynn was released due to a hamstring issue he has been nursing during the training sessions with the New England Patriots. If the aim of the New York Jets is to form a health and injury-free NFL team this season, then signing Flynn might not be the best choice. Nonetheless, it appears that the New York Jets are still seriously considering the former New England Patriots quarterback.

According to CBS, the New York Jets flew in Flynn on Friday. Presumably, this move from the NFL team could mean that the New York Jets are looking into working out with Flynn and possibly signing him as the backup for Fitzpatrick. Apart from the New England Patriots, Flynn also played with the Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks in the past. CBS further disclosed that other veteran NFL quarterbacks are currently under consideration by the New York Jets.

With the uncertainty surrounding the future of the New York Jets roster due to Smith's absence, it looks like Fitzpatrick is rising to the occasion. In the NFL pre-season game that saw the New York Jets lose to the Detroit Lions (23 - 3) at Ford Field on Thursday, Fitzpatrick proved to be an effective leader in terms of holding the team together and delivering a solid performance throughout the game.

"I thought he did well," said coach Todd Bowles, referring to the manner by which New York Jets quarterback Fitzpatrick performed in the game against the Detroit Lions, according to ESPN. He added, "He really commanded the offense. He's cool, calm and collected. There was nothing big to brag about, but he did his job." Fitzpatrick, like former New England Patriots quarterback Flynn, is also coming back from an injury. Reports reveal that the current lead quarterback of the New York Jets spent the majority of the NFL offseason healing from a leg injury.

Apart from Flynn, the New York Jets are also reportedly looking into the possibility of signing Tyler Thigpen of the Minnesota Vikings. Rumors of Thigpen's potential involvement with the New York Jets surface following the failure of the NFL team to reach an agreement with Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles. Vick also played for the New York Jets in the past.