Patriots sign veteran quarterback Matt Flynn

Matt Flynn might be getting another chance to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

And he just might do so with the defending Super Bowl champions. At least until their superstar quarterback returns from suspension. And if that suspension still stands after the appeal process later this month.

The New England Patriots signed Flynn on Friday, presumably to provide depth behind quarterback Tom Brady. Second-year player Jimmy Garoppolo is the only other quarterback on the Patriots’ roster after they parted ways with Garrett Gilbert, a sixth-round pick for St. Louis in 2014, on Thursday.

Brady has been suspended for four games by the NFL for his role in the Deflategate scandal. The NFL Players Assn. has appealed the punishment on Brady’s behalf, and Commissioner Roger Goodell will hear the case on June 23.

Meanwhile, the Patriots seem to be preparing for the worst by signing Flynn. Garrappolo got very little playing time last year, so at the least Flynn will be able to provide a bit of experience at the position in Brady’s absence.

Flynn was picked by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2008 draft. He didn’t play much in four years as Aaron Rodgers’ backup, but threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns in the 2011 regular-season finale, his lone start of that year.

As a free agent that off-season, Flynn signed a three-year, $26-million contract with the Seattle Seahawks, but he was beat out for the starting job by rookie Russell Wilson. He was traded to the Oakland Raiders in the off-season, then signed with the Buffalo Bills a week later.

He was cut soon after and returned to Green Bay, where he resumed his role as Rodgers’ backup. Overall, Flynn has played in 51 games, with seven starts, and has completed 219 of 357 passes for 2,541 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

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