Packers' Sean Clifford on track to win backup quarterback job
I'm not going to lie: I was pretty surprised when the Green Bay Packers decided to draft Sean Clifford in the 2023 NFL Draft. It has nothing to do with the Packers drafting a quarterback and everything to do with the QB they selected in Clifford. With all due respect, Clifford did not seem like […]
I'm not going to lie: I was pretty surprised when the Green Bay Packers decided to draft Sean Clifford in the 2023 NFL Draft.
It has nothing to do with the Packers drafting a quarterback and everything to do with the QB they selected in Clifford. With all due respect, Clifford did not seem like he was a good pro prospect. His two biggest weaknesses -ball placement and decision-making- are easily fatal flaws that will sink any signal-caller trying to make it in the NFL. The Athletic's draft expert, Dane Brugler, didn't even give Clifford a draftable grade – he was listed as a priority free agent.
Those two traits (or lack thereof) are the hardest to overcome, as well. And even with ball placement, that typically is what it is once a player gets to the NFL. Josh Allen is pretty much the lone outlier in that regard.
Either way, Clifford is impressing, so far, according to those who have attended Packers rookie minicamp and OTAs. Most recently, he led a very effective two-minute drill during the day media was allowed to observe practice. Per Packers.com's Wes Hodkiewicz, Clifford completed 9-of-11 passes for 75-yards that included an eight-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Cotton on fourth down.
He's played well enough to this point where The Athletic's Matt Schneidman thinks Clifford will beat out incumbent No. 2 QB Danny Etling for the Packers' backup QB job:
It’s still very early, but he threw some dimes during his two-minute drill at the end of Tuesday’s open practice. I definitely expect him to win the backup job over Danny Etling. I’ve seen people on Twitter (seriously, I think) say Clifford will be starting at some point. They need to slow their roll — he’s going against the backup defense in early June. That said, he has looked good early in showing why the Packers drafted him far earlier than he was expected to go after a mercurial career at Penn State. – Matt Schneidman, The Athletic
This is obviously a very pleasant surprise for both the Packers and their fans. Jordan Love is clearly the No. 1 guy in both 2023 and 2024 unless something goes completely wrong. Either way, it's still nice to have a competent backup in case he gets injured and is out for an extended period of time.
But honestly, so far, this is just another example of the Packers flexing their QB scouting muscles. Even if Clifford was considered as a non-draftable player, so to speak, it's clear this franchise knows how to draft the most important position in the NFL.
Featured image via MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK
