The Green Bay Packers may have a different starting quarterback in 2023, but the position itself is still shrouded in mystery. In particular, the entire NFL world is anxious to see Jordan Love play. Good or bad, were the Packers right to draft him in 2020 and move on from four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers three years later? That answer will come soon enough.
Another question that has been debated over the last few weeks is in regard to the backup quarterback position. Danny Etling was released over the weekend, leaving 2023 NFL Draft pick Sean Clifford and USFL MVP Alex McGough on the roster behind Love. While the Packers seem comfortable going into the 2023 NFL regular season with the quarterbacks that they have, one Green Bay insider isn’t sure that is a good idea.
Green Bay Packers Insider Rob Demovsky Suggests Carson Wentz Should Back Up Jordan Love
Beat writers from ESPN who cover each NFL team were asked to write about the one position battle that interested them the most thus far during training camp. Rob Demovsky selected the backup quarterback position, and he did not seem thrilled with the Packers’ quarterback room:
“It’s possible that the Packers’ No. 2 quarterback isn’t even on their roster yet. If neither rookie Sean Clifford nor ex-USFL MVP Alex McGough shows enough to warrant the job, general manager Brian Gutekunst could still consider bringing in a veteran. Carson Wentz is probably his best option in that scenario.
“But with Gutekunst’s penchant for keeping draft picks on the roster, it’s hard to imagine him not retaining Clifford. However, McGough has gotten more reps than the usual No. 4 QB in camp, which likely contributed to the Packers releasing Danny Etling on Sunday.”
Wentz, of course, finished third in MVP voting in his second season with the Philadelphia Eagles when he threw for 3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 13 games in 2017.
However, now Wentz is searching for his fourth team in as many seasons. After a bad year in 2020 with the Eagles in which he led the NFL in interceptions, he was the starting quarterback for an average Indianapolis Colts team in 2021. The team went 9-8 and Wentz threw for 3,563 yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
However, he spent last season with the Washington Commanders and struggled mightily. He dealt with injuries for much of the season, but struggled throwing nine interceptions in eight games.
The Green Bay Packers Will Stick with Their Current Quarterbacks
The Packers will probably not be signing any veteran quarterback to backup Jordan Love at this point of the preseason. Demovsky and others may recall that when Aaron Rodgers took over as the starting quarterback in 2008, his backup was Matt Flynn, whom the team drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
In fact, the Packers took TWO quarterbacks in the 2008 NFL Draft, using a second round pick on Brian Brohm. This is not just a Brian Gutekunst thing, it is something that Green Bay has done for decades.
Wentz has not been signed for a reason, and he is probably holding out for a team that may give him a better chance of starting at some point this season. If that is the case, Green Bay is certainly not an option for him.
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