In preparation for training camp, which begins for the Green Bay Packers on July 26th, all of the quarterbacks, rookies, and injured players will report to Lambeau Field on Friday, July 21st. Here is what you need to know:
There are two big questions at the quarterback position for the Packers this summer. The first, of course being, how does Jordan Love look? And the other being, who will his backup be?
Through OTAs and offseason programs, as should be expected, there were ups and downs from Love. Although there were some overthrown balls downfield as well as a few interceptions, Love also was attacking the middle of the field and aggressive – in a good way – by being decisive with his decision-making and letting it rip, as Matt LaFleur says.
Eventually, it will be the results that matter most, but right now, LaFleur is focused on Love getting the process right. If done consistently, the results should then follow.
“It’s about being accurate, throwing on time, making the right decisions, putting the ball in the right spot,” said LaFleur. One of the things we talked about in that room is how important is the process of playing quarterback. I’m less concerned about the end result right now, but I do believe that if the process is correct, he is going to be more consistent. So within that is the footwork, the mechanics, keeping a base in the pocket, and being able to throw at any point in time. I think just the rhythm and the timing, that’s something we’ve really stressed.”
In Love’s development under quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, footwork has been a key point of emphasis. As Clements said prior to OTAs, watch a quarterback’s feet, and you’ll have a good idea of whether or not it was a good pass. Other areas of focus have been on movement drills and progression drills.
Bringing in a veteran backup with experience always made sense for the Packers as someone would could help Love navigate his first season as a starter. While that is still possible, it also doesn’t seem likely, leaving the inexperienced Sean Clifford, Danny Etling, or Alex McGough to fill that role.
As of now, I would consider Clifford the front-runner for that role, given that the Packers used a fifth-round draft pick on him–they aren’t going to cut him and try to squeeze him onto the practice squad. What they liked about Clifford was his college experience, intelligence, and fit with the team, all important aspects to being a backup quarterback.
Although one could easily argue that the roster spot devoted to a third quarterback on the 53-man could be better utilized elsewhere, with such a young room, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Green Bay also keep either Etling or McGough. During Love’s rookie season, the Packers did keep three quarterbacks, with Tim Boyle being Aaron Rodgers’ backup.
Etling put together an efficient preseason with Green Bay in 2022, completing 77% of his 22 pass attempts with a touchdown while also rushing for 73 yards and one score. McGough was just signed a few days ago and was the USFL MVP, scoring 25 total touchdowns while finishing third in passing yards and sixth in rushing yards.
Green Bay’s rookie class features 13 draft picks. Lukas Van Ness provides needed depth to the edge rusher position, and could fill a Za’Darius Smith-like role, as Brian Gutekunst mentioned, with his ability to rush from inside. The additions of Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft at tight end and playmaking and versatility to the position, two elements that the Packers were lacking in previous years.
Jayden Reed brings speed and the ability to be utilized in a variety of ways, whether that be lining up out wide, in the slot, or even used on jet sweeps. During offseason programs, he was routinely the third receiver option. On the defensive line, given the overall inexperience, Colby Wooden will likely end up as a key member of the rotation and spent a fair amount of time with the staring defense during minicamp. Karl Brooks will see some snaps too, most likely as a pass rusher. Two undrafted rookies who made some noise earlier this offseason and we should keep our eyes on are reciever Malik Heath and edge rusher Brenton Cox.
With the preseason injury designations, there are two that lists that we should be aware of: the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and the non-football injury/illness (NFI) list. In short, a player who is placed on PUP cannot practice, but they are able to be activated at any time. A player who begins the season on the PUP list has to sit out the first four games before being eligible to return, at which point a three-week window to add them to the 53-man roster opens. The NFI list operates similarly, except it is for, as the name suggests, non-football injuries. This includes injuries away from the game or rookies who are still recovering from an injury in college.
Unlike during the regular season, if a player is placed on IR before initial 53-man rosters are set, that player’s season is effectively ended. They are unable to return to the active roster with their current team.
Rashan Gary and Eric Stokes are two players who could start out on the PUP list. For what it’s worth, some players who missed time during OTAs and minicamp were Grant DuBose, Dallin Leavitt, and Jake Hanson. Dontayvion Wicks was also limited at times as well.
The rest of the team, who doesn’t fall into these three categories, will report on Tuesday, July 26th.
