While it's still incredibly early into Green Bay Packers training camp, some things are already starting to come into focus. Like the fact Sean Clifford is not a viable solution to the backup quarterback problem.
After struggling in offseason workouts, Clifford has picked up right where he left off in camp, making it abundantly clear he can't be trusted to back up one of the league's top QBs.
A Super Bowl contender like Green Bay can't afford to mess around with its backup spot, so the team needs to add another body to at least push rookie Michael Pratt and see who's the best fit behind Love.
Luckily for the Packers, there's several candidates they could pursue in free agency, as cuts, or with a trade for a late-round pick:
1. Ryan Tannehill
The most obvious person to call with Clifford crumbling before everyone's eyes is veteran Ryan Tannehill, who's the best quarterback free agent remaining by a wide mile.
Tannehill is a proven starter, serving as QB1 of both the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans during his career while recording an 81-70 overall record. He's eclipsed 3,000 passing yards in six of his 12 seasons (and fell just 5 yards short in another), while tossing 216 touchdowns with 115 interceptions.
Tannehill's play has started to slip as he ages, which is one reason why Tennessee moved on from this offseason, but he's still the most talented option that's readily available to a team desperate for a boost in its QB room. It's not like the Titans did him many favors by trading his top target in A.J. Brown away, either, or failing to bring in legitimate replacements.
With a wealth of experience as a leader of a team -- which includes five starts in the playoffs since 2020 and even a conference championship game appearance -- and obvious success in this league, Tannehill is the ideal person for a contender to have waiting in the wings.
That being said, it's very likely the former No. 8 pick is waiting on a starting opportunity to open up, since he'd have been scooped up by now if he was content on settling for a QB2 role. It may take some luck, and a few extra millions, to sway Tannehill to Green Bay.
2. Cooper Rush / 3. Trey Lance
Tannehill choosing to remain a free agent shows his desire to vie for a starting job that may open up due to a camp injury. As a result, the Packers might have to pivot and go after a QB who'd be excited about a backup role on a contender.
Luckily, old friend Mike McCarthy could provide just that with his current situation.
The Dallas Cowboys have two QB2 candidates in veteran Cooper Rush and recent No. 3 pick Trey Lance, and it's tough to see either being happy if they lost this position battle.
Lance has to be more than antsy to take meaningful reps again after going from starter on the San Francisco 49ers to sitting the entire year in Dallas last season as QB3. It's clear the Cowboys didn't trust the young gunslinger to back up Dak Prescott in 2023, so if the team wants to sideline him again in 2024, it'd be no surprise if he wants to pursue another opportunity.
Backing up Love would be the moment in the spotlight that could get Lance back to starting again in the NFL. Green Bay is clearly a beacon for quarterback development in the league, so this might be the perfect place for Lance to grow his skill set before hitting free agency in 2025.
However, if the 'Boys decide to roll with Lance as their backup, then Rush suddenly becomes prime preseason trade bait. The vet is still revered after his impressive performance in 2022, which saw him lead Dallas to a 4-1 record while Prescott was sidelined by a hand injury.
The bright lights clearly weren't too bright for Rush then, making him the perfect steady hand to oversee the Packers' offense if Love was sidelined for a couple of weeks. Rush knows to lean on his playmakers, as evidenced by his connection with CeeDee Lamb while starting, and in Green Bay he'd have no shortage of targets to do some damage with.
4. Tyler Huntley / 5. Dorian Thompson-Robinson
The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, are another possible trade partner due to a glut of quarterbacks on their roster.
Deshaun Watson is still entrenched as Cleveland's starter, while Cleveland made it a priority to sign Jameis Winston as its main backup to replace Joe Flacco after his stellar performance down the stretch of 2023. Yet, the Browns also signed former Pro Bowler Tyler Huntley, in addition to already having second-year pro Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the roster.
With four QBs and teams likely to carry just three at any point in the season, someone from this group isn't making the cut. The Packers could help make the Browns' decision, either by targeting either Huntley or Thompson-Robinson and offering a late pick to do so.
Huntley's been one of the most active backups in the NFL thanks to Lamar Jackson's penchant for missing a handful of games every season. The former has made nine starts since the 2021 campaign, totaling 1,957 passing yards, eight touchdowns and seven iNTs. He's showcased his dual-threat skill set by adding another 489 yards and three scores on the ground during this time.
The Packers are more than familiar with what Huntley can do on the field. His performance against Green Bay in prime time during the 2021 campaign was perhaps the best of his career, as he racked up 215 passing yards, 73 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns (2 passing, 2 rushing) to nearly upset the cheeseheads.
Thompson-Robinson brings similar talents to the table. The rookie earned three starts with Watson sidelined in 2023, recording 440 yards through the air and another 65 on the ground. He wasn't especially successful through the air, tossing just one TD and four INTs, but Cleveland and Watson did him no favors by thrusting him into the QB1 job without much preparation.
The Browns don't seem to be totally confident in DTR given their QB additions, but that's something the Packers can take advantage of. He'd be in a great situation with the Packers' staff, plus there's no backup-or-bust expectation with him as a young QB. At the very least, though, he'd provide some new competition for Pratt.
6. Tommy DeVito
Finally, there's one possible backup who already appears to be on the outs with his team in camp.
After adding Drew Lock in free agency and preparing to give Daniel Jones another shot at starter, the New York Giants look prepared to move on from current QB3 Tommy DeVito despite some surprising efforts for NY to end 2023.
DeVito was one of the best feel-good stories from this past season, as he went from unheard of rookie to leading the Giants to three of their six wins. He even won Offensive Player of the Week honors in the NFC after helping New York upset the Packers in Week 14.
All in all, DeVito showed serious promise after recording 1,101 yards, eight TDs and just 3 INTs during the 2023 campaign. The young signal-caller is clearly hungry for an opportunity and confident he can help a squad, especially after he sent a strong message to the Giants about the team potentially cutting him this preseason.
DeVito has the competitive fire, plus recent results, to turn the backup QB battle up a notch in Green Bay. His addition would also signal to Pratt that he can't sit back after letting Clifford fumble away his opportunity, putting the pressure on the rookie to show his best stuff.
