The NFL has a reputation as a copy-cat league. If one team has proven effective in a certain area, why wouldn't another team mimic that success?
Now that the San Francisco 49ers will collect *at least* a high second-round pick for their backup quarterback, Alex Smith, after insisting that he would not be released, the Seattle Seahawks are attempting to follow suit.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday on "NFL Total Access" the Seahawks will not cut Matt Flynn. In fact, a team source insists the "priority" is to retain Flynn as Russell Wilson insurance since the starter is one of the NFL's best bargains.
The front office will entertain offers for Flynn, however, because they know he has designs on his own starting job. Although some teams have concerns over tendinitis in Flynn's throwing arm, two sources close to the quarterback assure Rapoport that the elbow is "absolutely fine."
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The favorite for his services might be the Jacksonville Jaguars where new head coach and former Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley "definitely likes" Flynn. Other possibilities include the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets to compete with unproven quarterbacks Brandon Weeden and Mark Sanchez, respectively.
As Around The League's Gregg Rosenthal points out, one potential hang-up to a Flynn trade is his salary of $5.25 million. Will a team be willing to give up a draft pick and big money for a player who might not even start? Flynn's most recent game film is from a disappointing preseason while Alex Smith's 2012 tape sold offensive guru Andy Reid in Kansas City.
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.
