Packers Make Surprise Selection of Penn State QB Sean Clifford

Green Bay added Penn State alum Sean Clifford to its quarterback room Saturday.

After trading Aaron Rodgers, the Packers entered the 2023 NFL draft with a lack of depth at quarterback. Jordan Love will start, but the only other quarterback on the roster is journeyman Danny Etling.

Green Bay addressed that need on Saturday. The Packers selected Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford with pick No. 149 in the fifth round of the draft, which came as a bit of a surprise to most, as Clifford wasn’t even invited to the scouting combine.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, few teams expected Clifford to be drafted at any point, and some considered him to be an undraftable prospect. Still, Green Bay has a history of doubling down on quarterbacks amid transition at the position, as Breer noted in the tweet below.

The Packers take Penn State QB Sean Clifford at 149—one I don't think many teams saw being drafted (I'm surprised too). Remember, Green Bay drafted two QBs the year Brett Favre was traded, taking both Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn.

Maybe Clifford can make like Flynn?

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 29, 2023

• Follow all the picks with Sports Illustrated’s draft tracker

Clifford spent five years at Penn State and famously beat out Will Levis for the starting job when the two were on the team together. Clifford was the Nittany Lions’ starter for four seasons, and totaled over 10,000 passing yards and 86 passing touchdowns in his college career. His final game was in the Rose Bowl, when he led Penn State to a win over Utah.

However, because Clifford was in college so long, he is actually older than Love despite Love entering his fourth NFL season already.

The moment QB Sean Clifford found out he’s heading to Green Bay 💚

(via @PennStateFball)pic.twitter.com/PaBqlP2uB1

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 29, 2023