The Green Bay Packers advanced to 6-2 on the season with a 30-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. For the second week in a row, new kicker Brandon McManus drilled the game-winning field goal as time expired, indicating that the Packers have finally resolved their kicker issue.
Indeed, kicker was a target this offseason after Anders Carlson failed as a rookie in 2023. At the end of the day, Carlson, Greg Joseph, and Brayden Narveson were all told that they were not good enough and released. These moves prompted general manager Brian Gutekunst to admit his errors and do what was best for the franchise.
Not every NFL general manager does this.
Green Bay Packers Backup Quarterback Malik Willis Shines Again After Another Jordan Love Injury
Unfortunately for the Packers, Jordan Love, their starting quarterback, had to be withdrawn from the game in the third quarter due to another injury. During the game, it was found that Love had suffered a groin injury, preventing him from moving and playing as well as he should. He concluded the day having completed 14 of 22 passes for 196 yards and one interception.
With Love out, the Packers once again had to rely on Malik Willis to help them win the game. Willis, who was acquired via trade following training camp, previously guided Green Bay to two victories this season when Love was sidelined with a sprained MCL.
Willis completed four of five throws for 56 yards and one touchdown. He also gained 23 running yards in four attempts.
Willis has the greatest passer rating of any NFL quarterback who has attempted at least 30 throws.
https://twitter.com/NFLonCBS/status/1850886192587243907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1850886192587243907%7Ctwgr%5E225500b792cd2c74728fcd644ea99265dbf35c4b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fgridironheroics.com%2Fgreen-bay-packers-jordan-love-justin-fields%2F
And all the Packers had to give up for Willis was a seventh-round pick.
NFL Analyst Believes the Green Bay Packers Should Trade for Justin Fields After the Jordan Love Injury
Of course, Willis was acquired from the Tennessee Titans after two Gutekunst draft picks, Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, struggled in training camp and preseason games. While no club expects its main quarterback to be injured, having a reliable backup is essential.
Clifford and Pratt weren’t skilled enough to be regarded quality backups, but both were released. Clifford was re-signed to Green Bay’s practice squad, while Pratt was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and added to their practice squad.
In retrospect, the Willis deal may have been Gutekunst’s most undervalued move of the year.
With Love probably out for Green Bay’s next game, a crucial clash against the Detroit Lions, Max Dible of Heavy believes the Packers should try to add to their quarterback room again by dealing for Pittsburgh Steelers’ Justin Fields.
“Fields would be one of the best safety plays the Packers could make if Willis struggles against superior opponents and/or sustains an injury. With Willis at quarterback, the squad averaged more than 200 yards rushing against the Colts and Titans, but that level of output is improbable against opponents such as Detroit and San Francisco.”
Fields completed 66.3% of his throws for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and an interception in six games for the Steelers this season until Russell Wilson returned to health.
The problem with this idea is that it believes Fields can play well against clubs like Detroit and San Francisco. The Steelers defeated the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers with Fields at quarterback, but they also lost to the Indianapolis Colts.
It also thinks Fields can master Matt LaFleur’s playbook quickly enough to operate the offence.
Love appears to have escaped serious injury, though. Having said that, he is not guaranteed to play against the Lions this Sunday. Rather, the Packers may decide to rest their top quarterback because they have a bye week following the Detroit game. This would allow him 20 days to heal.
If that’s the case, Green Bay is far better off going with Willis, who is already familiar with the playbook. Love will most certainly return after the bye, so any deal would be worthless in the long run.
