There are a few positions that the Green Bay Packers could justify adding to in free agency, including the backup quarterback spot. But has rookie Sean Clifford shown enough through the offseason programs to be the No. 2 option heading into the summer?
Since the draft concluded, both Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur have kept the door open on adding a veteran backup to the quarterback room. Clifford is in his first NFL season, while Danny Etling has no career regular-season snaps and has bounced around from team to team. The purpose of adding a veteran would be to bring experience to the position to help Jordan Love navigate his first season as a starter. Having that extra pair of eyes on the sidelines, in the film room, and on the practice field could be quite valuable.
During OTAs, LaFleur said that the offseason programs would provide the Packers with enough information to know whether or not a veteran backup quarterback was needed. This means that if a signing is going to take place, it will happen over the next few weeks before training camp begins.
As one would expect with a rookie, there has been a steep learning curve for Clifford. During the practice sessions that were open to the media, we saw some flashes, including a two-minute drill scoring drive with completed passes to Malik Heath on a deep out to the right side and a corner route to the left side, along with a beautiful pass to the front right corner of the end zone to Jeff Cotton while staring down a blitzing Tariq Carpenter. However, there was also another two-minute drill that ended on the second play because of an interception on a pass that Clifford tried to squeeze in over the middle of the field but was deflected into the air.
“He’s done some nice things,” said Matt LaFleur after the final open OTA practice, “it’s just he’s a young quarterback. We’ve thrown a lot at these guys. Just specifically with that position, obviously, Jordan (Love) is getting the bulk of the reps, and he’s been splitting the second reps with Danny (Etling), so there is very limited reps for those guys. But I think he’s done a nice job, certainly. In that two-minute drill at the end of the game, we simulated a two-minute end of game, and I thought he did a nice job of getting completions and taking a few chances, and making some throws. “He’s an NFL draft pick; he’s definitely a talented player.”
With $14.29 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, the Packers have the means to make a free agent signing — it’s not as if anyone at this stage of the offseason is going to break the bank, but there are limited options. The remaining free agent quarterbacks include Carson Wentz, Teddy Bridgewater, Joe Flacco, and Nick Foles.
If a veteran signing is made, my guess is that Etling would then be the odd man out to make room on the 90-man roster, which is why I believe this decision hinges on how the Packers feel about Clifford. For starters, the Packers did use a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft to take Clifford, but LaFleur has also said it’s “really difficult” to give four quarterbacks the practice reps they need, given the overall inexperience at the position.
There are a few factors that drew the Packers to Clifford during the pre-draft process, including his experience at the college level, which consisted of appearing in 51 games. The organization has also mentioned Clifford’s arm talent, which based on what I saw, is more consistent and offered more flashes than Etling’s, along with his intelligence and fit in the locker room.
