Packers quietly make smart move to protect roster in case a big market opportunity presents itself this season
Dorian Thompson-Robinson would be a developmental project.
Right now, the Green Bay Packers are comfortable at the quarterback position. Jordan Love is playing at an elite level, Malik Willis is a reliable and explosive backup, and they have a new developmental practice squad option in Clayton Tune.
But the market is volatile. For instance, the Cincinnati Bengals lost Joe Burrow for three months and are making calls to add another passer behind Jake Browning — one of them, according to Easton Butler, was for the Packers for Willis.
While the Bengals signed Sean Clifford and Mike White, and no offer has come close to what the Packers would want, the team is already protecting itself. On Sunday, Green Bay worked out quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. And there is more than one reason for it.
Option and flexibility
The Packers don’t have reasons to rush a trade. Willis may go elsewhere in free agency next offseason, but if the compensation isn’t strong enough, the team can simply keep him as a great backup option and get a compensatory pick in 2027.
However, it’s always possible that a desperate team makes a desperate move, making the possibility of trading Willis more enticing. In this case, it would make sense to promote Tune to the active roster, and Thompson-Robinson would be an interesting option for the practice squad.
Preparation
But the possibility of trading Willis is certainly not the only reason why the Packers worked Thompson-Robinson out. He spent the first two years of his career with the Cleveland Browns, starting five games under head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Because the Packers play the Browns on Sunday, it’s a valuable opportunity to have more insight into how Cleveland’s offense operates and how it could try to attack Jeff Hafley’s defensive structure.
Who’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson
A fifth-round pick in 2023, Thompson-Robinson is the type of quarterback that would naturally entice general manager Brian Gutekunst due to his physical abilities. He has a strong arm and mobility. However, his NFL production has been concerning, to say the least.
In 15 games for the Browns, including five starts, he completed 52.6% of his passes, with 3.8 yards per attempt, and a 45.2 passer rating. He has only one touchdown pass and 10 interceptions.
In March, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles as part of the Kenny Pickett package. However, DTR was waived before the regular season and hasn’t found a new home since.
On Sunday, the Packers also worked out defensive back BJ Adams, plus wide receivers Kobe Hudson and Mike Woods.
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