The Green Bay Packers, for the second year in a row, have some unanswered questions at quarterback following their preseason finale. Unlike last season, however, the team and everyone around the NFL is fully confident in Jordan Love as the starting quarterback. As many may recall, there were multiple NFL analysts and fans doubted Love would be able to live up to the standard Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre set for quarterback play in Green Bay.
Love, however, went on to have a better first season than either of his predecessors had in their first years under center, completing 64.2% of his passes for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 96.1 passer rating.
After signing a four-year $220 million contract extension shortly after training camp began, Love is entrenched as the starter for the foreseeable future. Who will be his backup, though, is still an unknown.
The Green Bay Packers Quarterbacks Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt Have Struggled
Last season, 2023 fifth-round pick Sean Clifford was selected to be Love’s backup quarterback. While he won the competition last season against Alex McGough, the Packers felt it necessary to bring in another quarterback to provide more competition this year.
They accomplished this by selecting Tulane’s Michael Pratt in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. While there were early calls for the team to sign a veteran to backup Love, Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst stated that he wanted the Packers to, once again, become known as an organization that drafts and develops quarterbacks.
Unfortunately, neither Clifford nor Pratt has given Green Bay much hope that they would be able to adequately fill in on offense in the event that Love goes down.
On Saturday, for example, Clifford started 1/7 on passes against the Baltimore Ravens, eventually ending with a line of 6/14 for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Pratt was better, but not by much, completing eight of 12 passes for 80 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
After the game, head coach Matt LaFleur deflected any questions regarding who could be the favorite to be Love’s backup, though did admit that Green Bay will be looking at what happens around the league as they make their decision.
This means they could be looking to sign a veteran who gets cut by another team.
NFL Analyst Names the Green Bay Packers as a Landing Spot for Bailey Zappe if He Gets Cut by the New England Patriots
One of these players that is a probable roster cut is New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe, who has found himself behind Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye on the depth chart.
Zappe has been with the Patriots for two seasons and has appeared in 14 games, starting eight of them. During that time, he has a 63.2% completion percentage, 2,053 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a passer rating of 78.5.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report suggests that, if/when he gets cuts, the Packers would be wise to consider adding him:
“We learned how vital a backup quarterback can be last year. Several major quarterback injuries defined the season and teams with good backup quarterbacks were able to weather those storms and remain competitive.
“Right now, it’s hard to feel too good about the backup situations for the Packers, Chargers and Rams. Michael Pratt, a 2024 seventh-round pick, might be on the brink of unseating Sean Clifford as the starter in Green Bay.”
Based on the play of both Pratt and Clifford in the preseason, it may just take a phone call for Zappe to unseat them.
