Cory's Corner: Be Patient With the Backup QB
There hasn't been a lot of good from the quarterbacks not named Jordan Love, but remember, they are not expected to be Love.
I’ve heard many people say that the Packers starting kicker is currently not on the roster.
That isn’t the case with the quarterback position.
Sean Clifford was expected to take a huge jump this training camp, but it just hasn’t happened. His reads have been late and he isn’t dynamic. Michael Pratt was drafted in the seventh round this past spring, so the expectations were pretty low. But he has struggled to catch up to the speed of the NFL.
Speaking of low, the Packers offense couldn’t much lower on Sunday night in Denver as the Broncos blew the doors off the Packers with a weird 27-2 score. Green Bay was just 3-for-13 on third down, only averaged 3.1 yards per play and they averaged 4.9 plays per drive.
“The production kind of speaks for it, but it wasn’t just on them,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur. “It’s everybody, it’s all eleven. We got to block better up front, we got to finish runs better, we had a couple of drops. So I think it’s just collectively all eleven got to be better for us to have any success offensively.”
I agree that it’s not all on Clifford and Pratt, but the offense has to help them out. Even if they are playing with a bunch of backups, they should be able to move the ball and find a first down every now and then.
As of right now, I don’t feel very confident about having either quarterback fill the shoes of Jordan Love in case of injury. I’ve seen timidness and confusion at the line of scrimmage from those two. The two of them have been a combined 31-of-52 for 252 yards with no touchdowns, one pick and they have been sacked three times. Those numbers are certainly terrible.
But you can forget about scouring quarterbacks to add. Remember, this is the gold standard when it comes to drafting and developing quarterbacks. The Packers know that they are going to swallow some thorns, but they are stuck with Clifford or Pratt as the No. 2. I like Pratt a little more because he brings an added dimension of athleticism. But Clifford does have the experience of being in the NFL for an extra year and shouldn’t let the moment get too big.
LaFleur needs to get the backup position figured out. Obviously it’s not easy when the starters don’t play. But if one of these two can move the chains consistently with backups, the competition will be over.
So even though the results haven't been enjoyable, there is room for these two to get better. They need to play within themselves and be the person that the Packers drafted. The Packers didn’t bring them in to be a carbon copy of Love, they brought them to Green Bay to be efficient and lead an offense.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (49)
NickPerry
August 20, 2024 at 06:45 am
LOL....This is the headline on one of the stories Acme Packing Company this morning...
"Why the Packers need to keep their backup quarterback search going."
Cory is calling for patience. One of the writers at APC thinks the Packers need to keep searching. I understand Gute wants to get back to his "Ron Wolf Roots" by drafting and developing QB's again. Maybe Pratt and Clifford can develop into a quality backup or even starter one day, but 2024 isn't the year for EITHER of them. At least IMO.
Hey, if Love is injured for a entire season the Packers are screwed no matter what. But if was to suffer a high ankle sprain or something that could keep him out 2 to 4 weeks I don't have any confidence in Clifford or Pratt. I have a feeling it would be flashbacks to Brett Hundley and/or Scott Tolzien. Lots of losing and INTS!
I'd like to see them get Ryan Tannehill or someone like that IF he could be had for cheap enough. MLF and Tannehill have a history from when LaFleur was an OC with the Titans. If not Tannehill then someone who could keep the boat floating until Love made it back. Right now we have the equivalent of the Titanic at backup QB.
This team's window is starting this season. I'm all for developing a QB but Goddamn can we have a backup at least at Matt Flynn's level? These guys aren't even close!
Cheezehead72
August 20, 2024 at 07:11 am
I was good with this until you said get Tannehill for cheap. I would say that Tannehill would be good if he fits MLFs offense but I am afraid he might be too old for this offense. Plus I be the cheapest he would sign for is about 10 million on a one year contract. Which is cap space we can use else where instead of a player who will hold a clip board and if Love is injured will win maybe 2 more games than the QBs they have.
Coldworld
August 20, 2024 at 11:29 am
If you put any QB behind that OL, expect poor play. Puts rookie or near rookie and expect more. Both were much better the week before. Pratt has upside visibly, but he also needs time as obviously. That shouldn’t surprise.
I’d have loved to see Pratt and Clifford behind our starting OL for a couple of series in the games to date. Sadly, LaFleur doesn’t seem to agree. They don’t get much chance I. Practice either, since Love needs reps too. I wanted Pratt to start this week. That might have recast this discussion a little. A missed opportunity to see how each did in reverse. However Pratt had better protection than Clifford and still did very similar things. He’s got an arm though, but I don’t think the game has slowed yet.
I see Pratt as having more upside. I see Clifford as a game manager being put in a position where no such player can thrive. Then I look at this list of alternatives and don’t see them being likely to do much better under the circumstances. There is no guy there that wins a superbowl even on an otherwise healthy team. Perhaps at cut down day, but then he’s on our roster and doesn’t know the playbook or have any affinity with players. It would be a while before we got much upgrade even if he was one.
Bitternotsour
August 20, 2024 at 03:02 pm
If Love gets hurt, throw in the towel and suck for a high draft pick. Take your medicine, go to bed early and start getting excited for the draft.
Leatherhead
August 20, 2024 at 06:25 pm
That's kind of what I think, too, but I hate to just throw away a season before it starts.. We're not good enough to win without Love, IMO. Not even if we had a guy like Tannehill.
But....if it's not most of the season, and it's only a game or two, I think we'd have a better chance with Tannehill than we do with the guys we have, but I don't see paying him the kind of money it would take just to have a guy who gives us a little better chance in a couple of games.
Look...It is what it is. Our backup QB situation, and our starting QB situation, is substantially better than it was a year ago. I think it's unlikely we could sign a FA QB and have him be good enough in two weeks that he'd be better than what we have.
Although there might be a few changes, I think that we already have the 53 guys we're going to start the season with.
SicSemperTyrannis
August 21, 2024 at 08:30 am
Sean Clifford looked good for a backup last season, I don't think he'd be worse this year. He seems to play better under pressure. Of course that's a risk.
Pratt may have better upside, but needs time in the system. I don't expect either to be picked off our PS, so that's the upside.
It's all about the O line, to keep JL10 injury free..
stockholder
August 20, 2024 at 06:56 am
You gave Love all the time in the world.
Yet, we won't give a back-up up a couple of games.
Every QB has ups and downs.
Conclusion is - Playing time.
I would use the QB who has
the best chemistry with the players first.
A rifle arm can't always Lead.
Coldworld
August 20, 2024 at 11:32 am
Spot on. The only real discussion is whether either would not make the PS. I think both would and that this list and reaction is indicative of why.
Rory P Scrotem
August 20, 2024 at 06:56 am
I'm not quite understanding all the negative comments on Sean Clifford. The guy is a gamer! Anyone remember his playing (and winning) The Rose Bowl? Put him out there with the 1st string offensive line, running backs & receivers...he will be everything Gute & Matt want and more.
Any chance of our seeing a clip or 2 of Tom Brady in his 2nd professional year playing with 2nd & 3rd stringers? All takes time folks! If it was all that easy, everyone would be Patrick Mahomes.
Cheezehead72
August 20, 2024 at 07:14 am
Clifford is not in Kansas anymore and he is not smelling like Roses. Yes he is young and could develop.
RWood832
August 21, 2024 at 04:16 pm
But Clifford is not young. He is older that Jordan Love.
Plus he has played many more snaps over the past 4 years than Jordan has, albeit at the college level. Ask any Penn State fan what they thought of him and you will generally not hear many positives after they watched him for 5 years.
I say give Mr. Pratt the first chance to be the backup QB over Clifford.
LLCHESTY
August 20, 2024 at 08:02 pm
Brady won a SB in his 2nd season. You want to compare him to Clifford knock yourself out.
RCPackerFan
August 20, 2024 at 07:21 am
"Sean Clifford was expected to take a huge jump this training camp, but it just hasn’t happened. His reads have been late and he isn’t dynamic. Michael Pratt was drafted in the seventh round this past spring, so the expectations were pretty low. But he has struggled to catch up to the speed of the NFL. "
I think we could argue that Clifford has taken a step back from last year.
Honestly last year I felt good with him coming out of preseason. I thought Clifford was a gamer who was able to make plays when needed and would be able to get the job done if called upon. This year though I think if Clifford is going to go into a game he is going to lose it for us. He has thrown a ton of interceptions in practice and simply hasn't looked good enough. Preseason games haven't been much better. I think Pratt is already better then Clifford with a much higher upside. Even though i don't think Pratt is ready.
Honestly I think they need to go and find a different QB to be QB2, and keep Pratt as the developmental guy. My concern is if Love gets hurt for 1-4 games and we need a QB to try and keep us in the hunt, that QB won't be able to do that. I don't have faith right now that either Clifford or Pratt can do that. I think the future Pratt has a ton of upside and I think he could be that guy down the road. He just isn't ready yet.
SicSemperTyrannis
August 21, 2024 at 08:35 am
I find it unlikely that Clifford actually got worse. Our defense definitely got better! That he's struggling against it is a GOOD thing, IMHO.
Transitioning from team practice to playing opponents is why we have the QB whisperer; I think Clifford will work hard. Hopefully they have a good relationship?
Cheezehead72
August 20, 2024 at 07:27 am
This is the plain truth of how I see this team. We have at best two average at best back up QBs. That is average as rated to all the 2nd string QBs in the NFL. Now they are young and could get better and I hope they do even if it is on another team. Clifford seems to be worse this year than he was last year. I say he might have reached his peak. Yes he was good in college but this is the NFL and some good college QBs do not make it as an pro. This is Pratts first year and I am seeing what I would expect from a first year 7th round draft pick from a non power five school. Right now I would name Pratt as the back up and Clifford as the third now that might change after the last preseason game. The best thing for this team would be to let one of these two go and bring back McGough because he has experience.
Along with having two average players lets also discuss the kickers. We have two average kickers at best. We have used three roster spots to find out that we do not have a very good kicker. One or two of these roster spots could have been used to bring in players in other positions where we need help even punter and be in the same situation. My recommendation is that Gute needs to talk to Crosby's agent and see how much it will cost to bring him back. Yes I am not one to bring back old players but at least he can make clutch FGs and with the new kickoff rules he would do just fine. You can put Carlson or Joseph on the PS.
barutanseijin
August 20, 2024 at 10:40 am
Crosby is not the answer. Clutch or not, Crosby no longer has the leg strength to make 45+ yarders consistently. At the end, Lafleur didn’t have him try that many of the long ones. On top of that, his kickoffs were becoming more and more of a problem later in his career. If he can’t get the ball in the end zone, Crosby would limit their options on kickoffs and thereby eliminate the element of surprise; the other team would know the kick would be coming to the target zone.
SicSemperTyrannis
August 21, 2024 at 08:41 am
Let the idea of Mason Crosby go.
There's a good kicker or two in Europe, get him and let our #3 go.
Switching to McGough now would not yield what sticking with him at QB would have. I don't know why they switched him to WR but obviously they thought he was the worst QB of the 3. Changing horses in the middle of the stream is a notoriously bad idea. There's really not a better backup QB available, and Pratt won't get picked off our PS. (Neither would Clifford)
GregC
August 20, 2024 at 07:39 am
Cory's point is a bit muddled as usual, but basically I agree with him. Most people seemed to think we were okay at backup QB after the first preseason game, and I think it's too soon to now be calling for a new backup QB. Clifford and Pratt both played rather poorly on a night when most of their teammates also played poorly. From what I've heard, they've mostly been pretty good in practice, and they looked fine in the first preseason game. Let's see if they can redeem themselves in the next week. I think at least one of them will.
SicSemperTyrannis
August 21, 2024 at 08:44 am
Clifford has not fared well this entire off-season TC etc. Our O line stunk up the place at Denver. He's played against the new GB defense, which is both different and much improved. Of course that will throw him off against anybody else too but Tom Clements is here to work his magic.
I think you have to trust the Packer's way.
egbertsouse
August 20, 2024 at 07:53 am
Patience? Patience is for people who make model airplanes. We’re talking about the NFL, the “Not For Long” league. With the salary cap there is no time for patience. Get ‘em good or get ‘em gone.
Starrbrite
August 20, 2024 at 09:55 am
Agree—if we want to be patient, then put one of them on the practice squad and in the meantime, find a reliable backup.
SicSemperTyrannis
August 21, 2024 at 08:45 am
There is not a better backup QB to be found.
Europe has some good kickers, get one and release our #3.
Turophile
August 20, 2024 at 07:59 am
Plenty, maybe too much emphasis on the last game, which was disappointing all round.
Given he is a rookie Pratt has looked like the better horse to put money on, as the no.2. He has made plays in camp, even while not having much understanding of the Packers fat NFL playbook.
At this point in time I'd certainly take Pratt over Clifford, as he seems to have more upside, even though he has a year less experience than Clifford. However, the competition lasts until one of the two is released, and that is in the future. Clifford may show better when the offense is no longer vanilla. Both still have time to make a stronger mark.
Fingers crossed that Love stays healthy this year and Pratt or Clifford or both have more time to develop under a real QB guru in Clements
SicSemperTyrannis
August 21, 2024 at 08:49 am
I don't think that throwing Pratt into the fire this year would be doing anyone any favors, even though I agree he has more upside. Develop him more, stash him on the PS, Clifford is still #2 unless you can find somebody better outside the building which you can't. Figure Clifford's word are due to our improved defense.
LeotisHarris
August 20, 2024 at 08:36 am
Cory has presented us with a non sequitur-free blog reflecting coherent, linear thought. Let us all rejoice as we accept this rare gift and grant patience to not only the backup QBs, but all of our beloved Green Bay Packers players and coaches.
GregC
August 20, 2024 at 08:51 am
I was confused by the phrase "swallow some thorns," which I had never heard before. I googled it, and all I could find was a poem called "Swallowing Thorns" by Sun Tzu Ping, translated from Chinese Mandarin.
I swallow thorns every day
And keep ovulating.
Clearly, Cory is playing three-dimensional chess here.
LeotisHarris
August 20, 2024 at 10:24 am
::fistbump::
NJ-RICK
August 20, 2024 at 08:56 am
How is Luka Van-Ness doing. A non starter in College and it sure looks like a non starter in the NFL. He was the 13th pick in the first round. Another wasted pick by Gute... This was a major reach, what the hell was he thinking...? Sure seems like the Packers will be checking the waiver wire next week for backups players to support our first team. Poor drafting is now starting to show up...
crayzpackfan
August 20, 2024 at 09:27 am
This seems like an uninformed comment. He didn't start in college because at Iowa, they start seniors over underclassmen. He still played the second most snaps on defense his last year there. Not bad for a "non" starter.
As far as his play now goes, can you explain to me exactly how it is that you arrived at "wasted picks" and "major reaches"? Your whole post resembles throwing spaghetti onto a wall. However, your pasta needs more time in the water, cuz it ain't sticking. Not with me. Make your argument though. Perhaps the 2 likes you got (as of my post) can explain what I am missing here?
Thegreatreynoldo
August 21, 2024 at 05:07 am
Perhaps. Still, LVN can wreak havoc against backups. Not so much against veterans, starters or players with sound technique.
SicSemperTyrannis
August 21, 2024 at 08:51 am
LVN certainly needs to add pass rush technique, and it stymies me why he has not.
Leatherhead
August 20, 2024 at 10:32 am
Van Ness does his job. When I rewatch the games, he's always noticeable .
LLCHESTY
August 20, 2024 at 08:06 pm
His name is still Luka and he's still living on the 2nd floor.
**Sorry, I could not help myself**
MadJam
August 20, 2024 at 09:06 am
Oh, well isn't that just a comforting little bedtime story for Packers fans? Let's break it down, shall we? So, the quarterback position is rock solid, right? No worries there. I mean, Sean Clifford was supposed to "take a huge jump" in training camp. Except, he jumped alright—straight into a pool of mediocrity. His reads are late, his delivery is slow, and let’s be honest, he’s probably still figuring out which way is up in the NFL.
And then there’s Michael Pratt. Not ready for prime time.
But hey, it’s not all on them! According to Coach LaFleur, it's a team effort in futility. The offense, the blocking, the running—it's like a synchronized ballet of disappointment. And those third-down conversions? 3-for-13? That's practically a masterclass in how not to sustain a drive. Averaging 3.1 yards per play? The Packers are practically inventing new ways to not move the ball.
And as for confidence in either of these backup quarterbacks filling in for Jordan Love? Forget it. I mean, just look at the numbers—252 yards, no touchdowns, and one pick between them. That’s the kind of stat line that makes you want to rethink your life choices.
But don't worry, the Packers aren’t about to go shopping for a new quarterback. No, no, they’re the "gold standard" in drafting and developing quarterbacks, which is why they’re perfectly content to "swallow some thorns." Yes, because nothing says championship football like self-inflicted pain and lowered expectations.
So, LaFleur’s got a real puzzle on his hands. He just needs to figure out which of these two can actually move the ball more than ten yards without tripping over their own shoelaces. No pressure. And sure, there’s room for improvement, but let’s face it—they were drafted to be efficient, not exciting. So buckle up, Packers fans, because you’re in for one heck of a wild, sleep-inducing ride!
SicSemperTyrannis
August 21, 2024 at 08:53 am
Thank you for such a fine example of putting too much stock in a preseason game.
Mr.Grapple
August 20, 2024 at 09:28 am
Learning to be great is not a linear process. Draft and develop. Why do I follow the Packers with such passion? Because the philosophy of the organization fits with my own thoughts on learning. We are all not finished products.
NFLfan
August 20, 2024 at 10:18 am
A bit off-topic, but my greatest concern is the lack of in-game adjustment & poor tackling
Was the lack of adjustment related to pre-season or something more troubling? Is Stenavich a real OC or is he Nathaniel Hackett 2.0? What is his role? It seems MLF is the OC and this gives him too much on his plate
I also did not see aggressive tackling by most of the players-again. Shouldn't this be one of the first skills taught to all D players?
Often, I feel MLF loses track of the 'aerial view', gives keys to coaches w/o regular supervision and looks surprised when deficiencies show up (in games, unfortunately).
SicSemperTyrannis
August 21, 2024 at 08:59 am
Last season my biggest critique of the team is that MLF's strengths are all at OC and his weaknesses are all at HC. MLF did not call plays in Denver but left that to Stenavich. Other than that I have no idea what MLF was doing or thinking.
Hopefully he proves himself much improved this year, but there are times when multiple HC duties occur simultaneously; personnel and in-game adjustments, clock management, AND playcalling as well as coach's challenge. (or not)
Seems like too much for any one person. Seems like an important aspect of big games. Hopefully they're working on this ...
Packitin
August 20, 2024 at 10:37 am
I'm still thinking that Bailey Zappe would be a good pickup as QB2
At K: Brayden Narveson (Titans)? Matthew Wright (Pit)?
cheesehead1
August 20, 2024 at 10:45 am
I can never remember an off season with so much hype for our Packers. We’re very young and very talented but there will be bumps as there always is. Love finished great last season, hope he builds on that. Time to pump the brakes a bit IMO, we haven’t even played a real game yet. Things to improve on IMO are 2 minute offense, backup QB’s and kicker. I’m sure Gute is doing everything to improve our kicker situation. GPG!
Bitternotsour
August 20, 2024 at 02:53 pm
every off-season is hype filled. it's the nature of the beast.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 21, 2024 at 05:10 am
Plus red zone (20th last year).
SicSemperTyrannis
August 21, 2024 at 09:01 am
There shall be no pumping of the brakes, this is the Homer hour. 14-3 and sweep the division 😎
LambeauPlain
August 20, 2024 at 11:35 am
Both Clifford and Pratt were playing with ineffective backups all around them. OL, Backs, WRs, and TEs all failed to produce. And root cause was the OL breaking down at the snap.
Both QBs were under attack early and often. Skill players didn't do much but a few tried....Wilson earned every yard and pass blocked well. Heath did his job but most of his passes attempts were launched under pressure. The TE's had Sims making a good catch and run but that's about it. Davis, the reliable blocker and steady player was just awful. What was up with him?
But the OL! Even when a lineman or two did their jobs, another seemed to mess up on the same play. No cohesiveness or synergies. Too many assignment breakdowns...too many by veterans.
Imagine what we would be discussing today if Love had to play with that OL? How would he have done with the backup dysfunctions?
Let's see what Saturday brings. Even if Love only plays for a series or two, I would like to see Clifford and/or Pratt behind the starting OL and a few starting skill players around them.
No need to panic after a bad few days in Denver with uninspired, sloppy play going through the motions in a team "effort". But the OL depth seems surprisingly weak. That was startling.
SicSemperTyrannis
August 21, 2024 at 09:07 am
Thank you!
Offense doesn't work behind an O line like that.
I again wonder at our coaching. I understand giving that personnel group time to play together. What I do not comprehend is after it was so clearly established that they were ineffective in this matchup, and there were both other talented O linemen that aren't starters on the bench AND other combinations not tried,
why keep doing the same thing?
Even if the plan was to do exactly that, what about in-game adjustment? That's a skill our coaches need to improve and they didn't even try. I'm just glad that throwing our RBs into brick walls repeatedly didn't result in an injury, but I suspect they're all worse for the wear.
WestCoastPackerBacker
August 20, 2024 at 05:46 pm
When was the last time GB signed a QB they didnt' draft? They backed up Rodgers with Flynn and rarely used outside QBs; same with Love. They aren't going to spend much money on a backup QB position; it's just not how they have done things. Since Flynn, they've had pretty awful backups that they have drafted. Clifford and Pratt are just the most recent bad backups. Going back 10 years of awful backup QBs:
2023 Clifford
2022 Love (okay not awful)
2021 Benkert/Love
2020 Boyle/Love
2019 Boyle
2018 Kizer
2017 Hundley/Callahan
2016 Hundley
2015 Tolzien
2014 Flynn
ImaPayne2
August 20, 2024 at 08:51 pm
I can't stand the anticipation. It's horrible. What are we going to do. Time running out. Clock ticking with two guys who haven't shown any ability to play qb. I say, off with there heads. Time for some talent to come in and compete against Love. Ya right
No seriously there is nothing wrong with bringing in others to evaluate you have nothing to lose.
CharlesBasham
August 20, 2024 at 10:36 pm
The Packers are struggling, especially with their backup quarterbacks, Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, who haven't shown much promise. Their offensive output in the recent game against the Broncos was dismal. However, just like in the https://slope-3d.com/ where perseverance and strategy can lead to triumph, the Packers need to focus on improving their teamwork and consistency to turn their season around.
zerotolerance
August 21, 2024 at 10:18 am
What is going on with these pop up videos which are very difficult to avoid?