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Sean Clifford still has a lot of work to do if he hopes to win Green Bay’s backup quarterback job, but his performance at the end of Tuesday’s practice may have been his best so far in a Packers uniform.
With reporters watching from the sideline for the third and final OTA open to the media, the former Penn State signal caller outperformed starter Jordan Love during the two-minute drill. Love’s last throw was an interception, while Clifford capped off an impressive series with an 8-yard touchdown to receiver Jeff Cotton on fourth down. According to Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com, he completed 9 out of 11 passes for 75 yards.
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky was also impressed with Clifford’s late-game heroics, albeit in a simulated environment without any pads on.
Sean Clifford might’ve run one of the best 2-minute OTA drills by a rookie fifth-round pick. Hit Jeff Cotton for an 8-yard TD to on fourth down.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) June 6, 2023
While real football appears to be so close and yet so far away, these are the types of moments you look forward to in June. Clifford’s two-minute drive won’t matter come training camp, but it’s an important building block for a young quarterback trying to earn the No. 2 job.
Outside the building, the confidence around Clifford has been less than favorable since the Packers made him a fifth-round selection. Some thought the pick was too rich for Clifford, who had experience as a four-year starter in the Big Ten but may lack the arm talent and accuracy to stick in the NFL. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein considered him a priority undrafted free agent.
None of that mattered once Clifford arrived in Green Bay. The Packers aren’t interested in paying a veteran to hold a clipboard, so they are letting a rookie and a practice squad carryover in Danny Etling duke it out. So far, Clifford has made a positive impression, says head coach Matt LaFleur.
“He’s done some nice things, it’s just, he’s a young quarterback and we’ve thrown a lot at these guys. Specifically with that position, obviously, Jordan’s getting the bulk of the reps, and (Clifford’s) been splitting the second reps with (Etling), so there are very limited reps for those guys. But I think he’s done a nice job, and certainly in the two-minute drill there at the end of (practice), I thought he did a nice job just getting completions and taking a few chances and made some throws.”
LaFleur also added something to silence those who doubted Clifford’s potential.
“I do think he’s an NFL draft pick,” he said. “He’s definitely a talented player.”
The backup quarterback competition should heat up from here. Next week the team will reconvene for mandatory minicamp and that will be it before the real test begins with the start of training camp in late July. From there, Clifford will have to impress throughout the preseason if he wants to be the guy behind Love.