The Green Bay Packers have drawn fresh scrutiny after filling a quarterback vacancy in a way that many observers find puzzling.
Following the trade of Kyle McCord to the Miami Dolphins for a sixth-round pick, the team signed Kedon Slovis, an undrafted free agent from BYU who appeared in two games for the Arizona Cardinals last season and recorded just five snaps.
Max Dible of Heavy.com described the decision as a head-scratching move, particularly because it came as the Packers passed on a more proven option who had just become available.
Jordan Love remains the starter and veteran Tyrod Taylor is the primary backup, leaving the third quarterback spot as a developmental role. General manager Brian Gutekunst has framed the McCord deal as part of the organization’s duty to identify and develop the next player at the position.
That philosophy now rests on Slovis, a 25-year-old who completed one of two pass attempts in his limited NFL action.
The choice stands in contrast to the opportunity presented by Will Levis, the former Tennessee Titans quarterback released on August 30.
Levis arrived in the NFL as a second-round pick in 2023 after a productive college career at Kentucky. He started 21 games over his first two seasons in Tennessee, completing 61 percent of his passes for 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He did not play in 2025 and posted modest preseason numbers this year, but his physical tools and starting experience still exceed what Slovis has shown at the professional level.
Dible noted that Levis possesses a skill set reminiscent of former Packers backup Malik Willis and could have been a candidate to develop under Matt LaFleur’s scheme. Instead, Green Bay elected to add Slovis to the practice squad.
Slovis compiled impressive volume statistics across five college seasons at USC, Pitt, and BYU, throwing for more than 11,000 yards and 80 touchdowns. Scouting reports, however, have long flagged limitations in arm strength and deep-ball accuracy, traits that matter when competing for an NFL roster spot.
By choosing him over Levis, the Packers appear content to evaluate a lower-profile prospect rather than take a flier on a former high draft pick seeking a fresh start.
The timing of the move has amplified the second-guessing. With Levis on the market at the same moment the Packers were reshaping their quarterback depth, the decision to pursue a player with almost no NFL tape invites questions about risk tolerance and long-term planning at a premium position.
Whether Slovis develops into a useful practice-squad contributor or Levis finds a more productive landing spot elsewhere will determine how this episode is remembered.
For now, the Packers’ preference for the modest route has left room for debate about whether they left a more intriguing option on the table.
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