After Sean Clifford’s clear struggles to begin training camp, the Green Bay Packers must consider adding some outside help to replace him.
Even though the Green Bay Packers’ training camp is still very early, some things are beginning to take shape. similar to how Sean Clifford’s unsuitability as a backup quarterback cannot be solved.
Clifford performed poorly during his offseason workouts, but he has performed admirably throughout camp, demonstrating his unreliability as a backup quarterback to one of the best in the game.
Green Bay needs to recruit more players to at least challenge rookie Michael Pratt and determine who fits best behind Love since they can’t afford to gamble with their backup place against a Super Bowl contender like themselves.
Luckily for the Packers, there’s several candidates they could pursue in free agency, as cuts, or with a trade for a late-round pick:
1. Ryan Tannehill
The most obvious person to call with Clifford crumbling before everyone’s eyes is veteran Ryan Tannehill, who’s the best quarterback free agent remaining by a wide mile.
Tannehill is an experienced starter who has an 81-70 career record while starting at quarterback for the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins. In six of his twelve seasons, he has over 3,000 passing yards (coming up just short in one), throwing 216 touchdowns to 115 interceptions.
Tannehill’s play has started to slip as he ages, which is one reason why Tennessee moved on from this offseason, but he’s still the most talented option that’s readily available to a team desperate for a boost in its QB room. It’s not like the Titans did him many favors by trading his top target in A.J. Brown away, either, or failing to bring in legitimate replacements.
Tannehill is the perfect candidate for a contender to have waiting in the wings because of his extensive experience leading a club, which includes five playoff starts since 2020 and even a participation in the conference title game. He has also demonstrated success in this league.
That being said, it’s very likely the former No. 8 pick is waiting on a starting opportunity to open up, since he’d have been scooped up by now if he was content on settling for a QB2 role. It may take some luck, and a few extra millions, to sway Tannehill to Green Bay.
2. Cooper Rush / 3. Trey Lance
Tannehill choosing to remain a free agent shows his desire to vie for a starting job that may open up due to a camp injury. As a result, the Packers might have to pivot and go after a QB who’d be excited about a backup role on a contender.
Fortunately, Mike McCarthy, an old acquaintance, could supply just that given his current circumstances.
With Trey Lance, a recent No. 3 pick, and veteran Cooper Rush, the Dallas Cowboys have two QB2 prospects, and it’s difficult to imagine either one of them being happy if they lost this position struggle.
After starting the entire season as a QB3 in Dallas last season after being a starter for the San Francisco 49ers, Lance must be more than eager to play important minutes again. It’s obvious that the Cowboys didn’t think the young gunslinger could support Dak Prescott in 2023, so it wouldn’t be shocking if he decided to take a different route in 2024 if the team decides to bench him once more.
Backing up Love would be the moment in the spotlight that could get Lance back to starting again in the NFL. Green Bay is clearly a beacon for quarterback development in the league, so this might be the perfect place for Lance to grow his skill set before hitting free agency in 2025.
However, if the ‘Boys decide to roll with Lance as their backup, then Rush suddenly becomes prime preseason trade bait. The vet is still revered after his impressive performance in 2022, which saw him lead Dallas to a 4-1 record while Prescott was sidelined by a hand injury.
Rush was obviously not overly blinded by the bright lights back then, which made him the ideal calm hand to manage the Packers’ offense in the event that Love was out for a few weeks. Rush’s relationship with CeeDee Lamb during his rookie season shows how reliant he can be on his playmakers, and he would have no trouble finding targets in Green Bay.
4. Tyler Huntley / 5. Dorian Thompson-Robinson
The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, are another possible trade partner due to a glut of quarterbacks on their roster.
Cleveland made it a priority to get Jameis Winston as its primary backup to replace Joe Flacco following his outstanding performance toward the end of 2023. Deshaun Watson is still the team’s starter. On top of Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a second-year pro, the Browns have added former Pro Bowl player Tyler Huntley to their roster.
Someone from this group isn’t making the cut, as teams are expected to carry just three quarterbacks at any given point in the season and have four QBs. The Packers might use a late pick to seek Thompson-Robinson or Huntley in order to influence the Browns’ decision.
Huntley’s been one of the most active backups in the NFL thanks to Lamar Jackson’s penchant for missing a handful of games every season. The former has made nine starts since the 2021 campaign, totaling 1,957 passing yards, eight touchdowns and seven iNTs. He’s showcased his dual-threat skill set by adding another 489 yards and three scores on the ground during this time.
The Packers are more than familiar with what Huntley can do on the field. His performance against Green Bay in prime time during the 2021 campaign was perhaps the best of his career, as he racked up 215 passing yards, 73 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns (2 passing, 2 rushing) to nearly upset the cheeseheads.
Thompson-Robinson brings similar talents to the table. The rookie earned three starts with Watson sidelined in 2023, recording 440 yards through the air and another 65 on the ground. He wasn’t especially successful through the air, tossing just one TD and four INTs, but Cleveland and Watson did him no favors by thrusting him into the QB1 job without much preparation.
Given their QB signings, the Browns don’t appear to be entirely confident in DTR, which presents an opportunity for the Packers. With the Packers’ staff, he would be in a wonderful environment, and as a young quarterback, there are no backup or bust expectations with him. He would, at the absolute least, give Pratt some fresh opposition.
6. Tommy DeVito
Finally, there’s one possible backup who already appears to be on the outs with his team in camp.
Despite some unexpected attempts for NY to end 2023, the New York Giants appear ready to move on from current QB3 Tommy DeVito after obtaining Drew Lock in free agency and being ready to give Daniel Jones another chance at starting.
One of the more inspiring tales from the previous season was DeVito’s transformation from an unknown rookie to a leader of the Giants, who won three of their six games. In Week 14, he even helped New York defeat the Packers, earning him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
All in all, DeVito showed serious promise after recording 1,101 yards, eight TDs and just 3 INTs during the 2023 campaign. The young signal-caller is clearly hungry for an opportunity and confident he can help a squad, especially after he sent a strong message to the Giants about the team potentially cutting him this preseason.
With his current performance and competitive fire, DeVito has the ability to elevate the backup quarterback competition in Green Bay. His addition would also put pressure on Pratt to perform at his highest level since it would send a message that he can’t afford to sit back and watch Clifford blow his chance.
