The Green Bay Packers are 100% certain that Jordan Love will be their starting quarterback in 2023. What is less certain is who will be his backup. Going into the 2023 NFL Draft, the team had just Danny Etling on their roster as the other quarterback.
In the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Packers selected Sean Clifford from Penn State. They also recently signed USFL MVP Alex McGough. After family night, it was evident that they could not get all four quarterbacks the reps they need with so many of them on the roster.
As a result, Etling was cut, leaving Clifford and McGough to battle it out for the backup quarterback spot on the 53-man roster.
Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur Discusses the Decision to Cut Danny Etling
Etling was also cut by the Packers during last year’s training camp, but was re-signed to the practice squad for the whole season. He may not be coming back to the practice squad this season, though, as McGough’s presence on the roster may indicate that spot will be his.
When speaking with reporters before training camp practice on Monday, head coach Matt LaFleur said of the situation:
“He’s been here for quite some time. He did a lot of great things. Obviously, he was such an asset in the room, more of a veteran presence than the other guys in terms of just being able to, he’s learned a lot of football from some really good football coaches.
“He was great in the room. He was super-supportive of Jordan. It just came down to getting the other guys the amount of reps we felt like we needed to see.”
Now that Etling is gone, Clifford and McGough will battle it out for the backup quarterback spot behind Love. With preseason games coming up, it is going to be important for all three quarterbacks to get an adequate number of snaps.
Love needs to start and play in order to keep building chemistry with the starting offense. Meanwhile, Clifford and McGough need to play to prove they are worthy of a spot on the 53-man roster. The one who does not make it will likely be signed to the practice squad.
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