Matt Flynn Still Untested, but These 4 Teams May Foolishly Overpay Him

Backup Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn has been generating buzz all season as one of the most desirable free agents to hit the market in 2012, and that buzz has only increased after his stellar performance in Week 17 against the Detroit Lions.

Starting in place of Aaron Rodgers, Flynn broke a number of Packers' single-game records, completing 31 of his 44 passes for 480 yards, six touchdowns and a single interception, and ultimately leading his team to a 45-41 victory.

With a number of teams with serious needs at quarterback and few high-caliber passers available in the 2012 NFL draft, it's not surprising that a number of them are likely to take a close look at Flynn.

However, with such a small sample size, it's quite possible Flynn gets offered a big-money contract without proving he's worth it.

Here are four teams that are likely to throw money at Flynn in an attempt to shore up their quarterback situation in 2012, whether it's warranted or not.

Cleveland Browns

Heading into the 2011 season, it seemed the Cleveland Browns had found some stability at quarterback, with 2010 third-round pick Colt McCoy ostensibly getting a chance under center for a few seasons.

However, McCoy underperformed this year, completing just 57.2 percent of his passes for 2,733 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in his 13 starts.

In two years' worth of starts, McCoy has led the team to just six wins to 15 losses, and his deficiencies become clearer with every game.

For the Browns to become competitive in the difficult AFC North division, they need a franchise quarterback, and that person just might be the Green Bay Packers' Matt Flynn.

Browns president Mike Holmgren has taken chances on backups in the past and could do the same, offering Flynn quite an impressive sum of money to hopefully improve the offense with just the addition of one dynamic player.

However, the Browns have taken chances in the past on quarterbacks that seemed promising but never panned out.

Flynn is untested, and the Browns may find themselves having made another mistake if they offer Flynn a long, lucrative contract based on his performance in Week 17.

Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins are no stranger to overpaying for unproven talent, and considering they have a very immediate need to improve at quarterback, it wouldn't be surprising if they make a move to acquire free agent Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn this offseason.

The Redskins have a top-six pick in the 2012 NFL draft, making it possible for Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III to fall to them.

However, if they don't get or don't want Griffin, then they're likely to take a closer look at Flynn.

Washington will have to make improvements to its offensive line if Flynn is to succeed with the team. This year's starter, Rex Grossman, was sacked 25 times in his 13 games, and the constant pressure he was under likely contributed to his 25 turnovers.

While the Redskins need to—and will—add a more reliable quarterback to their roster to start in 2012, if that player is Flynn, they need to surround him with an offensive line and a cadre of weapons similarly as strong as he's had in Green Bay if they expect him to throw for 400 yards regularly and successfully.

Miami Dolphins

There have been conflicting reports about Miami Dolphins head coaching target Jeff Fisher's willingness to join a team without the quarterback situation shored up, but if he takes the job he's likely going to be looking for a franchise passer in the offseason, regardless.

With the Miami Dolphins' draft position not favorable enough for them to land a rookie worth an immediate start, the team may reach out to Green Bay Packers free-agent quarterback Matt Flynn.

Flynn could be a good fit for the Dolphins. Stopgap quarterback Matt Moore has been effective this year thanks to the number of talented receiving targets on the team, and it shouldn't be hard for Flynn to get up to speed.

However, the Dolphins should be cautious not to overspend on an unproven commodity such as Flynn.

While part of his Week 17 success can be attributed to his talent and preparation, one can also point to the excellent receivers and top-notch offensive line of the Packers that also assisted him in the effort.

It would best serve Miami to tread cautiously with Flynn, lest they find themselves in rebuilding mode once again in just a season or two.

Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Kyle Orton performed well in his three games with the team when he was signed off of waivers by the team to replace backup Tyler Palko, who was plainly awful in his relief duties for starter Matt Cassel, who was placed on injured reserve with a broken throwing hand.

But it doesn't look like Orton is going to be staying with the Chiefs in 2012.

With Cassel coming back from the injury, Orton a free agent come March and a number of teams hurting for a starting quarterback, Orton has a chance to go elsewhere and not need to compete for a job.

However, Cassel is owed a $5.25 million salary in 2012, which is quite the tidy sum of money for a quarterback who is talented but may not be the leader of the franchise in the long term.

The Chiefs added Cassel after he led the New England Patriots to an 11-5 record while starter Tom Brady was sidelined with a major knee injury. Cassel's stock was high, but he never quite returned to those heights again.

While this may prove a cautionary tale for the Chiefs, if it's still a strategy they're willing to employ, they may make a similar move for Flynn in hopes that he can compete with Cassel and give them a reason to (or to not) pay Cassel in 2012.

If the Chiefs haven't learned from history, then perhaps they are doomed to repeat it by making an offer to Flynn. If they do so, however, they would be better served giving him a more modest sum rather than the six-year, $63 million ($28 million guaranteed) deal they signed Cassel to in 2009.