Adam Schefter floats scenario where Packers capitalize on rare situation to pursue wild swing at quarterback
Jordan Love is the starter, but backup QB spot deserves more attention without Malik Willis.
The Green Bay Packers have their franchise quarterback in Jordan Love and that won’t change anytime soon. But with Malik Willis set to depart in free agency, general manager Brian Gutekunst needs to find a new backup.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, Green Bay could be an appealing option for guys wanting second chances in the NFL — he mentioned Arizona Cardinals’ Kyler Murray and Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa.
Those are extremely hard scenarios to pull off
Yes, it would make a lot of sense for Murray and Tagovailoa to learn under Jordan Love for some time — exactly what Willis did, and what Mac Jones did on the San Francisco 49ers. And it would be smart for the Packers to add those starting-caliber QBs for the backup spot, giving them a higher-level option instead of Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord.
However, it’s difficult to actually make it happen. Murray is set to make $42.5 million in 2026, and Tua has $55 million on his deal for this season. The Cardinals and Dolphins would have to absorb most of the amount to make a trade feasible — but at that point, it will cost significant draft capital, and teams wanting a true starter would be more willing to give it up.
The only actual scenario where the Packers can add one of these guys is if the Cardinals or Dolphins release them and no other team invests in them for a starting competition. In this case, they could look for a high-level backup job to rebuild value and hit free agency again in 2027.
Kyler Murray in particular would be a great option for the Packers — a high-end quarterback who could add a different element to the offense from time to time and start if Jordan Love gets hurt at some point. Meanwhile, Tua has a limited ceiling, but he had great moments in a similar offensive scheme under head coach Mike McDaniel.
It’s not a likely outcome by any means, but it’s food for thought in regards to the type of quarterback the Packers could pursue behind Love.
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