The Green Bay Packers already have a franchise quarterback who will be their starter for years to come in Jordan Love. And he has earned that right, too, putting up solid numbers in each of his first two season as the Packers starting quarterback. In fact, his first two seasons as Green Bay’s starting quarterback rival those of his two legendary predecessors, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers:
| Brett Favre | Aaron Rodgers | Jordan Love | |
| Completion % | 62.4% | 64.2% | 63.7% |
| Passing Yards | 6,530 | 8,472 | 7,548 |
| Touchdowns | 37 | 58 | 57 |
| Interceptions | 37 | 20 | 22 |
| Passer Rating | 78.4 | 98.5 | 96.3 |
Additionally, the Packers have one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL in Malik Willis, whom they acquired ahead of the 2024 NFL season in a trade with the Tennessee Titans.
In seven games (two starts) for Green Bay last season, Willis completed 74.1% of his passes for 550 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 124.8 passer rating.
The Green Bay Packers Have a Question to Answer in Regard to the Third Quarterback
But while the Packers know who their starting and backup quarterbacks will be in 2025 (Willis will likely leave as a free agent after the season is over), they do have one major question to answer regarding the position.
Sean Clifford, who was drafted to be Love’s backup in 2023, spent last season on the practice squad. This year, he faces competition from newcomer Taylor Elgersma, who won the Canadian version of the Heisman trophy last season.
Indeed, the battle for the third quarterback spot between Clifford and Elgersma will be a key one to watch, at least according to Green Bay insider Mark Spofford:
“The only real intrigue at the position during camp is who will win the No. 3 job, and whether that QB will reside on the active roster or practice squad.
“Last year’s No. 3 was Sean Clifford (6-2, 218), a 2023 fifth-round draft pick who thus far in two summers of preseason games has completed 63-of-100 passes for 598 yards with two TDs and three INTs (73.7 rating). Clifford spent all of last season on the practice squad, except for his gameday promotions to the active roster to serve as Willis’ backup when Love was out.
“His competition is newcomer Taylor Elgersma (6-5, 227), who was signed after participating in the Packers’ rookie minicamp as a tryout player. An Ontario native, Elgersma won the Canadian equivalent of the Heisman Trophy last year at Wilfrid Laurier University and was a second-round pick (No. 18 overall) in the CFL draft by Winnipeg.”
This training camp is truly a do-or-die situation for Clifford, who played so poorly last preseason that the Packers traded for Willis in the first place.
As fans may recall, Clifford and 2024 seventh round pick Michael Pratt were battling for the backup quarterback job last season. However, they both were so disappointing that the team decided to bring in a different player (Willis) from outside the organization to hold the job.
Clifford was re-signed to Green Bay’s practice squad while Pratt was picked up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What is also an intriguing part of this battle is that many believe Elgersma may have a longer future with the Packers anyway. With Willis expected to leave in free agency when his rookie contract expires, some think he could eventually take over as the primary backup.
