Report: Eagles bringing in Joe Flacco on free agent visit [UPDATE]

UPDATE: Tim McManus says Joe Flacco’s meeting with the Eagles is still ongoing.

ORIGINAL STORY BELOW.

The Philadelphia Eagles are set to host free agent quarterback Joe Flacco on a visit today at the NovaCare Complex, according to a report from Pro Football Talk.

This development shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Eagles reportedly had expressed interest in Flacco last offseason before health concerns caused Philly to change course. Some other factors to consider:

The Audubon, New Jersey native grew up 20 minutes outside Philly and attended the University of Delaware. Flacco could have interest in returning close to home.

Beyond the local angle, Flacco could have a supporter in the Eagles’ front office in the form of Eagles vice president of player personnel Andy Weidl. Weidl was still a scout for the Baltimore Ravens when Flacco was drafted in 2008.

Flacco instead ended up signing with the New York Jets to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million. He went 0-4 in four starts, completing just 55.2% of his attempts for six touchdowns, three interceptions, and an 80.6 passer rating. Pro Football Focus graded him 41st out of 42 quarterbacks who logged at least 20% of their team’s dropbacks; only Dwayne Haskins was worse.

Flacco’s clearly not a very inspiring option if you’re seriously counting on him to win games. But the feeling here is he’d be a sensible signing. Philly shouldn’t be spending significant resources on a veteran backup. Flacco should come cheap and he’s an experienced presence to have behind presumed 2021 starting quarterback Jalen Hurts.

The Eagles signing Flacco, a former Super Bowl MVP, would presumably take them out of the mix for reacquiring their own former Super Bowl MVP in Nick Foles.