Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur stated the obvious on Thursday: Rookie Sean Clifford, a fifth-round pick out of Penn State, will be the team’s backup quarterback behind Jordan Love in 2023.
“I think it’s safe to say Sean is our No. 2 quarterback,” LaFleur said. “A lot of it is just his mental makeup. You saw it in the Cincinnati game in terms of his ability to rebound. The game’s not too big for him.”
LaFleur said Clifford has been “calm, cool and collected” in tough situations, especially recent two-minute drills in games and practice. Last week, the rookie quarterback led a drive for a field goal before the half against the New England Patriots.
Overall, Clifford has completed 33 of 45 passes for 345 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions during two preseason games.
The only question now is the Packers’ No. 3 quarterback, which will likely be stashed on the practice squad to start 2023. Alex McGough is the only other quarterback on the roster, but he was a late addition this offseason after winnng MVP of the USFL and has played a limited number of snaps in preseason games. Clifford has handled almost all the snaps behind Love during the exhibition schedule.
LaFleur said it was “extremely difficult” situation for McGough, who signed in late July and jumped right into installs of the offense without the benefit of the offseason workout program.
“He’s worked extremely hard and done a really nice job of picking it up. He hasn’t gotten as many reps as we’d like to give him,” LaFleur said.
LaFleur said the Packers needed to give Clifford the reps as a rookie learning the NFL game.