Post draft intel reveals Packers still want better solutions at premium position on roster as urgency grows
Green Bay signed undrafted free agent Kyron Drones, but adding another veteran option to the quarterback room isn’t out of the equation for Brian Gutekunst.
The Green Bay Packers lost Malik Willis in free agency to the Miami Dolphins, so a big roster opening hasn’t been fully addressed. The team has a viable option in Desmond Ridder and some developmental pieces in Kyle McCord and undrafted rookie Kyron Drones. However, general manager Brian Gutekunst is open for more.
According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Packers wanted to sign LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier had he gone undrafted, but veteran Anthony Richardson is still an option.
“The Packers searched for quarterback help last week. Green Bay showed interest in signing LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier if he went undrafted (the Chiefs nabbed him in the seventh round). They instead signed Virginia Tech passer Kyron Drones in undrafted free agency. And, keep in mind, should Indy’s Anthony Richardson Sr. be traded, he’s looking for an extension of the McVay-Shanahan-LaFleur tree from which to learn. Considering the success Matt LaFleur had with Malik Willis, Richardson will make sense if Green Bay has any interest.” — Jeremy Fowler
Quarterback room
The Packers studied late-round or undrafted-type quarterback prospects this year. Right now, the immediate backup is Ridder, who finished last year on the active roster — he had extensive starting experience for the Atlanta Falcons.
“I’m excited about the competition in that room, and we’ll see if we add to it along the way,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said after the draft. “But it’s a really important thing for us. Jordan [Love] in the last two years has missed some time, and we’ve needed somebody to come in there and play at a high level to help win those games. So whoever’s called upon, we’re going to expect that.”
Back in 2024, the Packers traded a seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans to acquire Malik Willis right before the regular season. So while the top backup options on the market are gone at this point, it doesn’t mean new opportunities couldn’t emerge between now and September. Richardson and Titans’ Will Levis could be traded eventually, for example.
The Packers are not fully satisfied with their current quarterback room beyond Jordan Love, and the front office may act soon to make sure it gets in a better spot when the bullets start flying.