The quarterback position for the Green Bay Packers has been a major topic of discussion all offseason. The team made a major change earlier this offseason, trading away long-time starter Aaron Rodgers, ending an era and embarking on a new one.
Taking over as the starter will be Jordan Love, a first-round pick out of Utah State in 2020. He has patiently waited his turn for three seasons and will now receive his first shot at becoming the long-term starter for the franchise.
Love is locked in as the team’s starter in 2023 and likely 2024 after signing an extension that will replace the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. With a young supporting cast around him, he will be afforded the chance to grow and develop along with them.
However, the quarterback depth chart is far from settled. It will be one of the training camp battles to keep an eye on as the backup job behind Love is up for grabs. 2023 fifth-round pick Sean Clifford and 2019 seventh-round pick Danny Etling will be battling it out for the QB2 spot.
In the opinion of Evan “Tex” Western of Acme Packing Company of SB Nation, it will be Clifford winning the backup job and evidently, one of the last roster spots. In addition to predicting the backup winner, Western believes the loser, in this case Etling, will be released.
This isn’t too surprising of a prediction. Cutting a fifth-round pick just a few months after selecting him would be shocking. While Clifford may not have the highest ceiling, giving up on a prospect that quickly would be bad for business.
Etling could be held onto as a practice squad player but will likely lose out on the numbers game. Adding depth elsewhere is likely better for roster construction than keeping a third quarterback.
This battle is worth keeping an eye on as well because of the lack of experience. If something were to happen to Love, the Packers’ season would be over. Thrusting Clifford or Etling into the lineup can’t instill much confidence in the coaching staff, so a veteran option could be added at some point as well.
Teddy Bridgewater has been connected to the team and would be an excellent insurance policy for the Packers behind Love. That would change the dynamic of the depth chart and probably be a luxury move if the depth isn’t needed elsewhere.