There is no question that Jordan Love will be the starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers this season. The Packers traded future Hall of Famer and four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets to give their 2020 first round pick his opportunity to lead the offense. For the past three years, Love was Rodgers’ backup. Now, the question is “who will backup Love?” In his pre-OTA 53-man roster prediction for Sports Illustrated, insider Bill Huber makes what some might call a bold prediction on this subject.
The Green Bay Packers Backup for Jordan Love Will Be Either Danny Etling or Sean Clifford
Last year, with Rodgers as the starting quarterback, Love was the backup and Danny Etling was placed on the practice squad. Now with Love as the starter, Etling is going to compete with fifth round pick Sean Clifford from Penn State, and Huber thinks Etling will win the job:
“On the 53 (2): Jordan Love, Danny Etling.
“Fighting for practice squad (1): Sean Clifford.
“Explanation: Etling’s never played in a game in five seasons. It’s now or never in his battle with the fifth-round pick Clifford. Let’s not forget Etling had a 123.3 passer rating last preseason on the strength of 17-of-22 passing. He’s got a good arm, plenty of athleticism and more than a year in the offense. Will that be enough to hold off a drafted rookie? All 20 draft picks made the opening 53 the last two years.”
Of course, the last time the Packers drafted a quarterback was when they drafted Love, and he did not make the 53-man roster that season. Instead, he manned the practice squad while Tim Boyle served as Rodgers’ backup. It will be very interesting to see what the Packers choose to do with the backup quarterback spot. Either one of them could win the job.
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