July 28, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers helmets sit on the field during training camp practice at Ray Nitschke Field in Green Bay, WI. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
With the departure of an experienced and generational talent at quarterback like Rodgers, the Packers are left with a young, first-time starter in Jordan Love sitting atop the depth chart.
Given his inexperience, it begs the question, should the front office still consider bringing in a veteran quarterback to provide depth behind him in the upcoming season?
Who are the Green Bay Packers in-house options for the backup QB job?
Behind Jordan Love, who will be cutting his teeth as the Green Bay Packers new franchise quarterback, is fifth-round draft pick Sean Clifford from Penn State and Danny Etling, a seventh-round selection in 2018 that spent the 2022 season on the team’s practice squad.
Many considered Clifford to be a reach in the NFL draft, projected as a priority UDFA by most outlets. However, the consensus is that he’s a terrific football mind and well-studied, which has value in its own right. If the Packers are looking to develop a trusted backup with limited upside behind Love, much like Matt Flynn was back in the day, it’s easy to understand the thought process for bringing in a player like Clifford.
Given Brian Gutekunst’s history of protecting his draft picks, I’d venture to say that the Penn State product is a safe bet to make the team. “Sean has done a nice job,” said LaFleur. “I still think there is a lot of growth in front of him, obviously. But it’s different for these guys that maybe haven’t had the long play calls and all of that, being under center, so there is definitely a transition there.”
And in the case of Etling, he’s never taken an NFL snap, so it’s difficult to project any untapped potential, but there’s certainly value in having someone in the quarterback room who’s athletic and familiar with the offense to help bring along some of the younger talents.
The coaching staff and front office have left the door open to additions being made at quarterback but also made it clear that they’d need to give Clifford and Etling plenty of practice reps to evaluate them properly.
Who could the Green Bay Packers still sign, and why would it help Jordan Love?
One of the main reasons why the Green Bay Packers should consider signing a veteran quarterback is the importance of experience in the NFL.
The quarterback position is obviously the most important position in football, and having a veteran presence can be invaluable for a young, inexperienced first-time starter like Jordan Love. A veteran quarterback can provide guidance and mentorship to Love, helping him to further develop his craft and overall knowledge of the game.
Additionally, a veteran quarterback can serve as an insurance policy in case of injury to Love. Although the Packers are no longer a favorite in the NFC, having a competent signal caller that can come in and provide stability and leadership to keep the ship afloat would be invaluable, IMO.
Although uninspiring, the Packers still have several veteran options available as free agents, such as Mason Rudolph, Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz, Teddy Bridgewater, Nick Foles, and Joe Flacco.
None of the abovementioned options is a needle mover, but most backup QBs aren’t. It’s just hard to ignore the mountain of uncertainties surrounding the Green Bay Packers quarterback room, and it’s worth considering bringing in an experienced option to provide depth and aid in the development of Love in 2023.
