The spotlight at quarterback, this season for the Green Bay Packers, will be on Jordan Love. The former 2020 first-round draft pick has been Aaron Rodgers’ backup for three seasons. The Packers expect to trade Rodgers soon and will need to find a new backup at quarterback for the 2023 season. ESPN recently named one quarterback as the best fit for the Packers in this year’s draft.
The Packers have a history of taking a few options at quarterback when they transition to a new starter. The Packers drafted Brian Brohm in the second round, and Matt Flynn in the seventh round, in the 2008 NFL Draft. It’s a bad idea to hedge ones bets or gain valuable backup help at the NFL’s most important position.
The Green Bay Packers could take the 2023 Senior Bowl MVP
Jordan Reid and Matt Miller with ESPN recently came out with their all-quarterback mock draft. They linked the Green Bay Packers to Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener, the winner of the 2023 Senior Bowl MVP. Miller thinks Haener is reminiscent of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy:
“Haener gets such great reviews from coaches and area scouts who’ve visited Fresno State that my early comparison for him was Brock Purdy … then Purdy took the 49ers to the NFC title game. We’re not expecting similar early-career exploits, but Haener is a similar kind of dude at quarterback. He throws good passes with consistency and is a savvy processor. Since no one knows how good Love actually can be as a full-time starter, I like this move a lot.”
Haener’s accomplishments in college
Haener had two statiscal seasons at Fresno State. He transfered to the program before the 2019 season from Washington. He threw for 9,013 yards, 67 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions in his two seasons at Fresno State. Haener earned first-team All-Mountain West quarterback honors for his play during the 2022 season.
Lance Zierlein wrote in his draft profile of Haener for the NFL.com that the quarterback needs be in a system where he can get the ball out quickly:
“Team captain with below-average size and arm talent, but above-average football IQ. Haener plays with a pre-snap plan and does a nice job of getting the ball out quickly against the blitz. He senses edge pressure and slides to find a new location to throw from.
He doesn’t have the drive velocity to successfully window shop and might require a timing-based scheme or spread attack where he can make quick throws in rhythm. Haener’s lack of traits, coupled with limited mobility outside the pocket, create a challenging road to NFL success.”
The Green Bay Packers have a system that could work for Haener
The Packers have a good system in place. Love has been able to come in as a backup and play with success in it. Haener could be a good option for the Packers to fit that kind of a mold. As we learned with the 49ers last season, you can’t have enough Purdy’s around.
Here are highlights of Jake Haener:
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