It’s obvious that Jordan Love is the future of the Green Bay Packers. His impressive showing during his debut season as the team’s QB1 made plenty of teams excited over his long-term future with the franchise, and many expected him to resume his impressive form throughout the 2024 NFL season.
However, his injury during the team’s season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil has fans worried about his form once he recovers from injury. The optics don’t look encouraging for the most avid Packer Nation citizens, but his recovery timeline suggests the injury is less serious than what fans first feared.
Now that fans have a clearer picture on Love’s health, the focus now turns to which player would take over the starting QB role while the de facto QB1 is focused on his recovery. While Malik Willis is most likely going to get the starting nod, his stint with the Tennessee Titans had fans and analysts thinking about going for a more proven option at QB.
However, it seems like the team has made their decision with which person will take over for Jordan Love’s spot under center.
Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers to use Malik Willis and Sean Clifford as QB options amid Jordan Love injury
The Spun’s Andrew Gould reports that the Green Bay Packers are focused on working with their current QB room than looking elsewhere to fill in for Love:
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Packers aren’t expected to pursue Ryan Tannehill or any other veteran quarterback. They’re optimistic Love can return “on the sooner end” of a three-to-six-week timetable.
That leaves Malik Willis and Sean Clifford as their internal candidates to replace Love.
Willis claimed before the season opener he’s ready to step up and play under LaFleur’s system. However, his abysmal performance during his stint with the Titans doesn’t instill much confidence among Green Bay Packers fans. In his two seasons in Tennessee, he completed 35 passes for 350 yards, zero touchdowns, and three picks.
Meanwhile, Clifford could be called up to the roster if they don’t think Willis is up to standard. He was signed to the practice squad and could be called up to play any time. While it’s unlikely he’ll pull off a Brock Purdy, he’s more than ready to step up to the plate if needed.
Packers fans can only hope that the rest of the offense will be able to step up for the backups as they wait for Love’s return.