The Green Bay Packers have moved on from a number of veterans over recent years. Their decisions have ushered in a whole new era for the team. A young, fast, and exciting future.
However, there is one former Packers quarterback who is making a name for himself on his new team.
Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Is Making A Name For Himself On New Team
After suffering an ankle injury in Week 7 of the UFL season, former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron was unable to play for the St. Louis Battlehawks. Fans of the Green Bay Packers might recognize Manny Wilkins as his replacement.
The Packers signed Wilkins as an undrafted free agent in 2019 after he played three years for the Arizona State Sun Devils. Wilkins made the practice squad for his rookie season after not making the roster with Aaron Rodgers and Tom Boyle ahead of him.
Now he is continuing his success:
On Saturday, he continued that running game success when he recorded another 51 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against the Arlington Renegades. Unfortunately, the Battlehawks couldn’t leave that game with a victory, as the Renegades scored 36 points.
Below are a couple of the key plays that Wilkins made during the game, though.
MANNY MAGIC 🪄
Manny Wilkins Jr. pulls the disappearing act for the @XFLBattlehawks ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/3gzCjUadZu
— United Football League (@TheUFL) May 25, 2024
Manny Wilkins Jr. walks it in for the lead 🔥
What a start to the second half for the @XFLBattlehawks ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/trI8sv70s7
— United Football League (@TheUFL) May 25, 2024
With the help of Wilkins’ two rushing touchdowns, one of which came with seconds left on the clock on a fourth and goal rep at the end of the first half, the Battlehawks were able to hold a short lead in the second half of the game.
While Wilkins has been successful on the ground, though, throwing the ball has been a bit of a struggle for the former Packer. For perspective, McCarron — who is currently dealing with an injury — was considered a UFL MVP candidate before he exited the lineup.
On the season, Wilkins has thrown 50 passes for 27 completions — a 54 percent completion percentage that is more than 10 percent lower than McCarron’s 2024 mark. Wilkins has also only thrown for one touchdown compared to three interceptions, which all came against the Renegades. Unfortunately, one of those picks was also a pick-six that could have swung the result of the game. His season-long passer rating is 54.3, about half of McCarron’s 98.9 number.
It will be interesting to see how long and how far Wilkins can lead the Battlehawks.
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