Will the Packers Keep Three Quarterbacks on the Active Roster This Season?
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers have almost always kept two quarterbacks on the active roster since Brian Gutekunst took over as the team’s GM in 2018. But since Gutekunst has returned to Ron Wolf’s previous strategy of frequently selecting a developmental quarterback on day three of the draft, will Gute decide to keep three active signal callers this season?
The one notable exception during Gutekunst’s tenure was 2020. There were extenuating circumstances during that season. It was Jordan Love’s rookie year, and the first-round pick didn’t have any preseason games or a full regimen of OTAs due to Covid. As a result, the team kept three QBs including Love, starter Aaron Rodgers and backup Tim Boyle. Love did not take a snap all season.
Now, Love has firmly established himself as the team’s starting quarterback. Last year’s fifth-round pick, Sean Clifford, is the incumbent reserve quarterback. Gutekunst also added Tulane product Michael Pratt in the seventh round of this year’s draft.
Gutekunst had good things to say about Clifford before and after this year’s draft. He barely saw the field as a rookie. The Penn State alum threw one pass which he completed to Bo Melton for 37 yards. He also ran the ball in victory formation three times for minus-two yards.
Clifford did see action in the Packers playoff win over the Cowboys, although head coach Matt LaFleur put in his backups too soon and Love had to return to action after the Cowboys scored to get back to within 16 points in the fourth quarter. He took three offensive snaps in the game and did not attempt a pass.
While Clifford has limited NFL experience, he will turn 26 in July. Because of Covid, he had an extra year of college eligibility. As a result, he was an older draft pick after staying at Penn State for five years. In fact, Clifford is older than Jordan Love who was drafted three years earlier.
The Packers like Clifford’s football IQ and his leadership abilities. The reason he fell to the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft was his lack of elite arm strength. His play in the preseason reinforced that assessment although he did a good job of moving the team downfield despite the lack of a cannon for an arm.
Now, Clifford will face competition from Pratt, the four-year starter at Tulane. Pratt helped turn Tulane’s program around. They struggled with a combined 6-14 record in Pratt’s first two seasons but finished 11-2 and 10-1 in the last two years. Each year, Pratt’s statistics improved. He threw for a combined total of 49 touchdown passes and just 10 interceptions in 2022 and 2023.
Like Clifford, Pratt lacks an elite NFL arm. He was originally projected as a fourth- round pick but fell all the way to the seventh round when the Packers happily selected him with the 245th overall pick.
What Pratt offers is a high football IQ, good decision making, leadership, and accuracy on his throws.
Gutekunst had this to say about Pratt. “He really turned that program around. [He] started a lot of games for them. He's a good athlete. He's got a pretty live arm. Very accurate. Just like the way he handled himself. He had some big wins, so we're excited. [I] just like the way he handled himself. He had some big wins, so we’re excited. I wanted to add a quarterback and a bunch went early, so there wasn’t a lot of guys available in the mid-rounds. So, as we got later and later, he was kind of the only left that we wanted to target, so that was kind of nice.”
Before the draft started, Gute also reiterated how happy he was with Clifford. So, will the Packers decide to keep both quarterbacks on the roster, or will they try to stash one of them on the practice squad and hope that another team doesn’t swoop in and claim them.
The odds remain that the Packers will only carry two quarterbacks on the active roster this season. But there is a chance Gutekunst will want to keep both of his recent draft picks on the team. How they both perform during training camp and in the preseason will go a long way towards determining which one of them becomes the backup and whether both will make the active roster.
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Comments (47)
mnbadger
May 02, 2024 at 12:14 pm
This is one of the more intense position/roster spot battles to watch this year.
I'm hoping they both play well, with Pratt playing better and winning the spot outright.
GPG!
GregC
May 02, 2024 at 12:20 pm
They can keep Pratt on the practice squad as long as he doesn't play too well. He's a 7th round pick, and he should be safe there. But if he plays really well in the preseason, they may have to put him on the roster. I don't see any other way to play it if you are trying to develop a third QB to be a legitimate backup or trade bait.
If Pratt beats out Sean Clifford for the #2 spot, they will have to make the same decision with Clifford.
Leatherhead
May 02, 2024 at 04:18 pm
You can avoid the "play too well" in the preseason by the simple expedient of not playing him much, putting your weaker players on the field with him at the same time, and engage in boring play calling that keeps him from shining.
It's difficult for me to believe that Pratt is a serious threat to Clifford at this point. Clifford has a couple of hundred practices and meetings of a lead.
I like Love/Clifford. We're probably a good enough team to cover for a little unavailability of our starter, but if Clifford ends up being the main guy, like Hundley, then it's going to be a disappointing season.
dobber
May 02, 2024 at 05:13 pm
I think this is the interesting part of the 2024 experiment: I would argue they don't have a backup QB that has shown us enough that we can feel confident can keep the team competitive for 4-6 games if Love suffers a significant injury. Most teams don't have a guy who can do the job for longer than that and keep them afloat...so as you say, if Clifford/Pratt ends up being the main guy it could be pretty harsh.
Maybe that changes if we see more during preseason, but I think Clifford (and definitely Pratt) are way more projection and hope than they are anything substantive at this stage. It makes one wonder whether they might bring in a vet to back up 10 if Clifford and Pratt stink it up in preseason. Certainly if you really see yourself as a contender, you wouldn't be crossing your fingers like that.
Leatherhead
May 02, 2024 at 07:50 pm
dobber, you can make that argument to me, but I think it's a harder argument to make to LaFleur, or Clements, because they could say that he's shown a lot in practice. That's probably why they only went for a guy in the 7th round.
Since he was drafted, Clifford has had hundreds of practices, meetings, mechanics sessions, film study, etc. and the Packers apparently believe he'll handle it this year. If they didn't, I think they'd have done more than they did.
Last year, we had an unproven and barely tested starter backed up by an unproven and untested rookie. This year, we're much better off right out of the gate.
dobber
May 06, 2024 at 09:08 am
"dobber, you can make that argument to me, but I think it's a harder argument to make to LaFleur, or Clements, "
Mostly it's the restraining order...but I take your point. ;)
GregC
May 02, 2024 at 05:33 pm
I don't expect Pratt to beat out Clifford either, mainly because I thought Clifford played pretty darn well last year. There are some interesting contrasts between the two of them. Clifford was a big school college QB who was drafted in the 5th round, which many people thought was a couple rounds too early. Pratt was a small school college QB who was drafted in the 7th round, which many people thought was a few rounds too late. Both of them had a lot of success in college, and they are very good athletes although they do not have elite NFL arm talent.
Hard to believe that a team would set up its young QB for failure in the preseason just to keep other teams from noticing his talent. I don't think that would work anyway. You can tell when a guy is playing well. Preseason is a golden opportunity to build confidence. If he plays well, then you have a good problem on your hands and maybe you go ahead and put him on the roster.
LLCHESTY
May 02, 2024 at 09:56 pm
Rookies beat out vets all the time. Pratt was drafted about 100 spots below consensus while they reached for Clifford. Pratt has more upside and if given a chance I think he's QB2 at the end of TC. I definitely wouldn't feel too safe about him making it to the PS.
MitchAnthony
May 02, 2024 at 01:17 pm
I thought I was reading a joke on another site when I seen Alex McGough was moved to wide receiver. But apparently not.
T7Steve
May 02, 2024 at 02:03 pm
Maybe that's how they can sneak 4 QB arms into camp. Except for height, he can't compete in the WR room, even for gadget plays. They want to keep him away from other teams, especially the other teams in this division.
dobber
May 02, 2024 at 03:24 pm
Roster spots are going to be too valuable to spend one keeping a journeyman, sub-replacement QB away from other teams.
WestWi_Packfan
May 03, 2024 at 10:13 pm
Actually if one of the QB's gets hurt, god forbid, it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep him on the PS, just in case
BAMABADGER
May 02, 2024 at 01:38 pm
They’ll keep 3 with one of them on the ol’ practice squad.
T7Steve
May 02, 2024 at 02:07 pm
NFL rules this season allows a third emergency QB. A 54th spot on game day. The other QBs can't come back in if he gets activated during a game. So that might be why they're hiding the 4th QB in the WR room for now.
Coldworld
May 02, 2024 at 06:57 pm
The other QBs MUST come back in if medically cleared. An emergency QB must be listed as a QB and can only enter the field to play traditional QB (no wildcat either) and if no other QB is medically able to play or has been disqualified from doing so:
“If either QB1 or QB2 is cleared to return to play by the medical staff, such player must re-enter the game by reporting to the referee. At such time, the Emergency Third Quarterback must be removed from the game and is not permitted to continue to play quarterback or any other position.” NFL rule commentary.
The only real difference is that an emergency QB must be designated as such and can be the emergency QB an unlimited amount of games. He is both protected over game day exposed to waivers after as if he were a standard elevation.
The difference this year over last is also that the emergency QB no longer needs to be on the 53. In the past he had to be and had to be the previous week too. This likely means teams will be far less likely to keep 3 QBs on the 53.
Bitternotsour
May 02, 2024 at 09:23 pm
If you're going to insist on accuracy, this entire board will crumble.
10ve 💚
May 03, 2024 at 07:49 am
"If you're going to insist on accuracy, this entire board will crumble."
Agree, Bitternotsour, you make an excellent point 😂😂😂
Having said that, he backed up his insistence with data (I have not checked the veracity of said data, however it was still impressive) 😊😊😊
Alberta_Packer
May 02, 2024 at 01:40 pm
I read and heard that Love and MCGough are good pals. Because if it was Rogers pal - he had likely a reserved spot on the final roster. Fortunately, Love has not given any indication that he wants to be a shadow gm. So may the best arm win.
HarryHodag
May 02, 2024 at 02:17 pm
There were reports McGough was moving over to wide receiver. They will keep three QB's. Pratt is a likely practice squad QB.
You need three to be ready to play. Injuries happen all the time.
TKWorldWide
May 02, 2024 at 07:47 pm
He is listed as a WR on the “official” website.
Dooniebrewers
May 02, 2024 at 02:38 pm
I’d be very surprised if Pratt beats out Clifford for backup QB. Clifford seems to know the offense well, and looked good last year. If Pratt is decent he won’t last on the practice squad.
stockholder
May 02, 2024 at 04:50 pm
It won't matter who the qb is.
The offense has always been
ahead of everyone in their division.
I understand people have strong
feelings about QB#1.
But when you see how they have
done against the rest of the division.
Give credit to the offensive Coaches they hired.
Coldworld
May 02, 2024 at 05:38 pm
No.
If Clifford beats out Pratt, Pratt will be on the PS.
If Pratt beats out Clifford then Clifford will either go to the PS or be replaced if there’s one they like better on the street.
If both play seriously lights out then the Packers will try to make a trade. It’s pretty unlikely that both will be sufficiently impressive to attract interest though.
stockholder
May 02, 2024 at 05:50 pm
Clifford wants a trade.
Thats why a QB was drafted.
dobber
May 02, 2024 at 06:17 pm
"Clifford wants a trade."
Please cite where you got this. I looked for about five minutes and found nothing. Otherwise this is worthless conjecture or flat-out just making shit up.
I will tip my hat if you can show something substantive.
Bitternotsour
May 02, 2024 at 06:54 pm
You can't take the bait. Full stop. That account is a designated wind-up merchant. You're reacting to nonsense.
Stop expecting nonsense to make sense.
MainePackFan
May 02, 2024 at 07:29 pm
I'm fairly confident that dobber isn't chasing a "designated wind-up merchant." If you read between the lines of stockholder's somewhat awkward writing style, you will recognize the rare moments where he is spot-on.
Bitternotsour
May 02, 2024 at 09:20 pm
I respectfully disagree
Coldworld
May 03, 2024 at 08:09 am
Unfortunately, I think he believes himself.
Todd
May 02, 2024 at 11:57 pm
He does not have a source. He’s speculating.
Leatherhead
May 02, 2024 at 07:59 pm
If anybody wants to make a serious offer, I'm sure the Packers will listen.
MainePackFan
May 02, 2024 at 06:59 pm
You gotta love offseason :)
Coach Cleve Steamer
May 05, 2024 at 08:18 pm
The depth of opinion is fathomless yet shallow, often repeating heresay based on The I made This Up to engage the prey.
Bitternotsour
May 02, 2024 at 09:36 pm
we're at the point where every thread is an example of magical thinking. The 7th round draft choice will usurp the 5th round draft choice who has a years worth of practices and has been running the scout team. Sure, why not. No one seems to want to accept that which is apparent.
Let me note some things that I think are apparent.
1. Zach Tom is the right tackle
2. Myers is the center
3. the first round draft choice is the odds on favorite to be the left tackle.
4. barring injury, Stokes is starting.
5. Clifford is the back-up QB
LLCHESTY
May 02, 2024 at 10:12 pm
Clifford was a big reach last year, PFF had Pratt 97th on their big board:
"Pratt's clean fundamentals and impressive touch throws make him an intriguing quarterback, even though he has smaller measurables. His arm strength limits his ability to push the ball vertically, but he has a good enough feel for the game to garner a potential starter label."
Here's a list of some of the Packers reaches the last few years. BTW Pratt was +118, the 2nd highest of the last three years except for Rasheed Walker(+136).
https://twitter.com/zachkruse2/status/1784954699063476563?t=T9wn4U-u381M...
Coldworld
May 02, 2024 at 10:39 pm
Clifford was a reach in a stronger draft. I really don’t care as long as one wins competently, but Pratt is either getting his motion improved and thus better velocity or he’s going no where at this level. We will see in summer. I hope you are right, but I’d be just had happy if Clifford proved you wrong.
LLCHESTY
May 03, 2024 at 03:02 pm
His velocity was better in '22. He was hurt in the 1st game in '23, missed three games with a knee injury and wasn't the same after that. I don't think there's much doubt he's a more talented QB than Clifford. If he puts the work in he should win the backup job and that three round slide in the draft should be proper motivation.
PhantomII
May 02, 2024 at 10:03 pm
So Pratt beat the 2024 NFL Drafts #1 overall picks QB. I don't care which QB is on the roster as long as they can do the job. We have an above average NFL OL, 5 or 6 #2 WR's, 2 good TE's and 2-new RB's that bring the hammer. I'm pretty sure any able bodied QB or backup could not ask for more than that as well as our Defense adding numerous playmakers all over the secondary and a new sense of urgency driven by the DC to get the ball back to the offense if not score on a defensive pick-6. I thought Pratt looks pretty smooth delivering the ball to WR's and handing off the ball to RB's also. I think he should have gone higher. Pretty happy with our overall draft ....We had a bunch of holes at LB and Secondary. Too bad cause if we didn't need to address so much there I would have loved for Gute to reach way up for ALT or the other huge OT to set the LT position as a strength again. I think the AZ kid will work out somewhere on the OL and be a strength. GPG
Doug_In_Sandpoint
May 03, 2024 at 07:40 am
There is always fear and teeth gnashing about exposing players on the practice squad. I believe that actually losing good players this way is rare. Other teams have trouble cutting down to 53 too and they’d have to put any poached players on their 53. I’m betting we’ve taken more than we’ve lost this way. (Let the Taysom Hill talk begin.)
dobber
May 03, 2024 at 08:06 am
^^THIS^^
...add to the fact that signing a player off another team's PS means you have to add them to your 53--and that the ramp-up time for a QB to learn a new offense is long--and the result is that it just doesn't happen with young QBs.
Coldworld
May 03, 2024 at 08:13 am
Every year there are August QB stars that get attention. Very few get sought after by other teams and those that do have typically done it for a year or two.
Bitternotsour
May 03, 2024 at 08:38 am
"this guy sucks, we should replace him"
also, this guy who sucks, we should trade him for a second round draft pick - fandom
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
May 03, 2024 at 10:20 am
Usually, fans being concerned about a player being poached off the PS has almost always been about a WR. Always! Refreshing to see we are talking about a different position.
Frankly, this year I am extremely interested in watching young players who have been in the league for a year or two to see what their growth has been. Some of the young guys were injured or simply needed time to build strength and fundamentals to play in the NFL but who are very good players. Players like Grant DuBose at WR, Luke Tenuta and Caleb Jones at OT, Brenton Cox, Aaron Mosby, and Kashawn Banks at Edge, and Robert Rochell and Anthony Johnson at Safety. Do we have anything with any of these players or maybe other players I have not mentioned like possibly Jonathan Ford or Kadeem Telfort. Yes, watching the new rookies is always fun but I also enjoy watching to see if young 1st and 2nd-year players who have not played much have made that 'jump'.
LambeauPlain
May 03, 2024 at 11:15 am
A back up QB controversy! Life is good at 1265 Lombardi.
I like Clifford and after a year with Tom Clements and Jordan Love, I like him more. At the start of the 2023 season, Clifford actually had far more game snaps in college and pros than Love had. (maybe he still does given his 6 year productive career at Penn State)
I have confidence Matt, Adam, and Tom know what they need in their QBs to be a solid backup and best spot starter, especially if the run game is getting as many or more snaps vs passing.
If Pratt outshines Cliffy in camp managing the current offense, they will send the current backup to the PS. I don't think Clifford surrenders the back up spot. If he does, then I will be surprisingly happy for Pratt.
WestWi_Packfan
May 03, 2024 at 10:29 pm
Not really sure why MCGough was moved to WR he has no chance, yea his chances are slim as a QB but its certainly possible one of the QB's could get hurt and he would be needed. He should have stayed at QB and been allowed compete but I suppose Gute had no intention of ever cutting any of his beloved draft picks no matter what the outcome of the competition, so MCGough never had a chance unless an injury pops up, but if I was him I would stay at QB and try to catch on with someone else because from what I've seen, he's not bad for a third stringer.
Slim11
May 04, 2024 at 01:54 pm
It’s a way to improve his chances of making the team.
Many years ago, the Dolphins had a QB/TE or WR/ ST role player named Jim Jensen. He was drafted as a QB. Over time, his value to the Dolphins was his versatility. He was not a professional caliber QB. But his willingness to become what the Dolphins needed extended his career. IIRC, he played seven seasons in the NFL.
IF McGough is willing to play STs, he might be the third QB on the active roster should he make the team at WR. I’m not saying it will happen given the current WR group. But, stranger things have happened.
jhtobias
May 04, 2024 at 01:37 pm
I Have a sneaky feeling qb 2 will be a nice little battle this yr.
I dont care about big boards etc but know way they keep three active qb on the roster no room.
Clifford impressed against car salesman in the preseason and pratt has his shot. Im sure it comes down to who the coaching staff believes is best to develop.