Is Gutekunst Considering Adding Veteran Quarterback?

The Green Bay Packers’ three backup quarterback candidates have thrown a combined zero passes in regular-season games.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – With seven training camp practices complete and the position as unsettled now as three months ago, the Green Bay Packers aren’t looking to add a veteran quarterback backup behind Jordan Love.

“It’s very early in camp, but they’ve done some good things,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said on Friday of the trio of Danny Etling, Sean Clifford and Alex McGough. “I think [coach Matt LaFleur is] very happy with some of the things they’ve done. They all have a little bit of a different skill-set, but they all have athleticism and the ability to make plays with their feet, which is important. As of right now, that’s kind of my mindset is like, ‘Let’s see who comes out of that group.’”

While it’s not the youngest group of backups in the NFL, it is the least experienced. Etling, a seventh-round pick by New England in 2018, has not played in a regular-season game in his career. McGough, a seventh-round pick by Seattle in 2018, has not played in a regular-season game in his career, either. Clifford, a fifth-round pick by Green Bay this year, obviously has not played in a game.

While the free-agent group was hit hard early in free agency, five veteran starters – former MVP Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz, Teddy Bridgewater, Joe Flacco and Nick Foles – remain available.

That Gutekunst is sticking with his four-man group isn’t just GM-speak. An agent for one experienced veteran said he reached out to the team recently about his client and was told it’s sticking with what it’s got for now.

From left: Sean Clifford, Alex McGough and Jordan Love (Photo by Tork Mason/USA Today Sports Images)

“Danny and I talked about it early, when I first got here,” Clifford said. “You’re not just competing against the guys in the room, you’re competing against everybody in the NFL because you want to make sure that you’re putting a good resume out there.”

Could Etling have the edge? With a year in the system and coming off a strong preseason last year, he continues to be second in the rotation for most drills.

Could Clifford have the edge? He might based on draft pedigree. He led the backups to a touchdown in a 2-minute drive on Thursday.

Could McGough have the edge once he gets a full grasp of the offense after joining the Packers just before the start of camp? The reigning USFL MVP, he has by far the most professional experience.

“I’m excited to maybe have an expanded role with the team,” Etling said. “However that might take shape, that’s all out of my hands. I just want to go out there and execute well and continue to get better every day and bring these guys along.”

A key stretch awaits, beginning with Saturday’s Family Night and a joint practice at Cincinnati on Wednesday before the preseason opener against the Bengals on Friday.

“There’s been some good competition,” Gutekunst said. “I think you guys have been out there and you’ve seen each guy’s had their moments, which is good. I think particularly as a couple of the new guys learn the offense and are able to make plays within the offense, that’s going to be important. Again, the preseason games, they’re going to get a lot of work. That should probably separate some things.”

More Green Bay Packers Training Camp News

"No concerns right now," GM Brian Gutekunst said of rookie kicker Anders Carlson ahead of tomorrow's Family Night practice.https://t.co/Chq1zQePEm

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) August 4, 2023

Family Night could be biggest practice of Anders Carlson’s career

Highlights from Practice 7 of Packers training camp

Watch: Thursday practice video, including 61-yard field goal

Is the offense making progress?

There’s a battle at center between Josh Myers and Zach Tom

Packers finally acquire Arron Mosby

Mom has always been there for Rashan Gary

New receiver faces weighty challenge (pun intended)