Cam Newton odds: New York Jets off list of suitors after signing Joe Flacco

The New York Jets were always long shots to sign free-agent quarterback Cam Newton, but they are now off the list completely via SportsLine oddsmakers after signing former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. He got a one-year deal worth $1.5 million with another $3 million in incentives.

What's rather strange about that deal is Flacco hasn't been very good for a few years and isn't even healthy. In fact, he won't be ready for Week 1 off a neck injury that cut short his 2019 season with the Denver Broncos. Flacco was 2-6 as the Broncos' starter, throwing for 1,822 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. His completion percentage was a career-high 65.3, but it didn't lead to many points.

Flacco had surgery in April. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Flacco won't be ready for contact until mid-September and could be a candidate for the PUP list.

In what universe is Flacco a better backup option to Sam Darnold than Newton is? Perhaps Jets brass thought Newton might be too threatening to the inconsistent Darnold (remember the "ghosts" comment?). There may be an AFC East factor at play here, too. Flacco is 13-6 in his career against AFC East teams, including a 7-0 mark against the Dolphins.

Jets GM Joe Douglas was a Ravens scout in 2008 when Baltimore drafted Flacco with the 18th overall pick.

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It does seem reasonable to think that Flacco will see the field at some point as Darnold has been limited to 13 games in each of his first two seasons. Dating to pre-Darnold, the Jets have lost their past 11 games when a backup quarterback starts (they are 11-15 in Darnold's 26). The other QBs on the roster are journeyman David Fales, Mike White and rookie fourth-round pick James Morgan.

New York apparently never looked into Newton but had some interest in Andy Dalton before he signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Last season, 19 of the league's 32 teams started a backup at quarterback in at least one game. The Jets open the season in Buffalo on Sept. 13 and are 5.5-point underdogs on the NFL odds. 

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Which team will Cam Newton be on Week 1 of the 2020 season?

• Patriots +350
• Redskins +450
• Steelers +600
• Broncos +700
• Cardinals +900
• Ravens +1100
• Jaguars +1200
• Rams +1500
• Bills +1800