The last time Matt Flynn started a game for the Green Bay Packers it was against the Detroit Lions. Flynn will once again start for the Packers in place of starter Aaron Rodgers against the Lions on Thanksgiving.
His last performance against the Lions was a memorable one. Flynn threw for 480 yards and a team record six touchdowns in Week 17 of the 2011 season.
Flynn signed a three-year contract that was originally worth $26 million with $10 million guaranteed from the Seattle Seahawks that offseason. Lions’ linebacker DeAndry Levy says the Lions’ defense (or lack thereof two years ago) helped earn Flynn a lot of money.
“We got him paid and I don’t know what his career’s done since then,” Levy said, via Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com.
The answer to Levy’s question is not much. Flynn was beat out by Russell Wilson for the starting job in Seattle and spent last season as a backup despite his contract. Seattle dealt Flynn to Oakland this offseason where he was expected to become their starting quarterback. Instead, Terrelle Pryor won that job and relegated Flynn to reserve duty once again.
Flynn started just one game for the Raiders before he was released in October. After a brief stint with the Buffalo Bills, Flynn re-signed with the Packers. He replaced Scott Tolzien last week and completed 21 of 36 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown in leading the Packers back from a 23-7 deficit to force overtime before the game ended in a tie.
