2012 NFL Free Agents: Matt Flynn Will Be Hottest QB on Market After Monster Game

Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn is going to be a rich man in the very near future, and he has himself to thank for that.

In case you're just now joining us, Flynn got the start in place of Aaron Rodgers against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, and he proceeded to have a record-setting game. He threw for a whopping 480 yards and six touchdowns, both of which are new Packers records.

Flynn capped his day in style, too, throwing a touchdown pass to Jermichael Finley with 1:10 on the clock. The score held up to give the Packers a 45-41 win in one of the season's most exciting shootouts.

Not a bad way for Flynn to end his regular season, especially when you consider the fact that he's due to become a free agent after the playoffs.

Make no mistake about it. After a performance like this, teams in the market for a starting quarterback are going to be lining up for Flynn's services. He's going to get paid a lot of money.

There won't be many other options of course. Drew Brees is due to hit free agency too, but he's not about to leave the New Orleans Saints. Alex Smith is also due to become a free agent, but San Francisco 49ers head coach said recently that he views Smith as the team's long-term starter. Kyle Orton is also going to be a free agent, but Kansas City seems to be a good fit for him.

So, relative to what else is going to be out there, Flynn is a pretty attractive option.

It's not just because Flynn has one huge game under his belt. He started against the Patriots in New England late last season, and he performed well in that game too, passing for 251 yards and three touchdowns. He very nearly gave the Packers a huge upset win.

Teams have a small sample size to judge Flynn by, to be sure, but it's a very strong sample size. The numbers speak for themselves, and they are not accidents. Flynn has shown great composure in his starts, and he has shown an impressive skill set as well.

The other thing Flynn has going for him is his youth. He's going to turn 27 over the summer, meaning he still has plenty of good years left in him. It helps that sitting behind Rodgers for several seasons has preserved his body.

A couple lucky QB-needy teams are going to fill their needs in the draft. Those who won't will consider Flynn instead.

Their checkbooks better be ready.