Before heading to the Oakland Raiders in a trade during the NFL off-season, quarterback Matt Flynn played second fiddle to rookie quarterback Russell Wilson with the Seattle Seahawks.
Flynn had high expectations of becoming the starter and new face of the franchise in Seattle after signing a lucrative free agent, but Wilson emerged as the better option sending Flynn back to the bench.
Unfortunately for Flynn, history has repeated itself in Oakland. Flynn was acquired in a deal with expectations of being the starter once again, but wasn’t able to beat out the more athletic and versatile Terrelle Pryor.
With Pryor emerging as a promising young talent this season, the Raiders will stick with the Ohio State product moving forward leaving Flynn as the odd man out.
Flynn was recently asked about being benched for the second straight season saying the following via Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle:
While obviously depressing, was it even harder go through it a second time?
“Probably easier,” Flynn said. “I would say so … easier in terms of how to deal with it. It’s just as disappointing, or even more so, but easier to deal with.”
Heading into Week 4, Pryor has been diagnosed with a concussion and may miss the game against the Washington Redskins in Oakland.
In the event Pryor can’t pass the required concussion tests in order to play, the Raiders coaching staff will go with Flynn as the starter. Rookie Matt McGloin will become the backup for Flynn with Pryor sidelined. Pryor has made some progress in order to be given the green light on Sunday, but the safe bet may be to expect Flynn under center against the Redskins.