With training camp scheduled to open in late July, Packers Wire will be spending the next month attempting to predict how Matt LaFleur, Brian Gutekunst and the Packers will construct their initial 53-man roster entering the 2020 season.
Up first is quarterbacks, where the Packers have a first-round pick and real intrigue behind Aaron Rodgers entering training camp:
Players
Aaron Rodgers
Tim Boyle
Jordan Love (rookie)
Jalen Morton (rookie)
Number kept to start 2019
Two. The Packers kept Tim Boyle – who produced a passer rating of 112.9 during the preseason – as the No. 2 quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers, cutting DeShone Kizer in the process. Undrafted rookie Manny Wilkins returned as the third quarterback on the practice squad.
Roster prediction (3)
1. Aaron Rodgers: The two-time NFL MVP will be motivated to have a big second season in Matt LaFleur’s offense. Coming off back-to-back so-so seasons and turning 37 years old in December, Rodgers needs to play exceedingly well over the next few seasons to prevent the transition to Love, the team’s first-round pick in 2020.
2. Tim Boyle: The selection of Love puts Boyle’s roster spot at risk but doesn’t necessarily guarantee he’s gone, especially with the coronavirus cloud hovering over the entire 2020 season. He’s going to be so far ahead of Love to start training camp, and keeping Boyle as the top backup would ensure there’s a quarterback with some experience in the offense behind Rodgers to start the regular season. He’s improved each of the last two summers and will be increasingly comfortable in his second season in the scheme. The circumstances give Boyle a terrific opportunity to remain the No. 2 to start 2020, even if new practice squad rules might encourage keeping only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.
3. Jordan Love: The rookie has more talent than Boyle and is the team’s expected future starter, but he’s way behind after not having an in-person offseason workout program. Important on-field reps and drill work were missed. Playing catchup as a rookie quarterback during training camp won’t be easy, especially if there are restrictions and fewer preseason games, and there’s a chance all teams will want to carry three quarterbacks on the roster to start an unprecedented 2020 season. Letting Love start the season as the third quarterback might be the safest option for LaFleur and the Packers. Remember, he’s going to get about a month – at max – of in-person work with the team before the regular season begins. NFL teams are notoriously cautious at quarterback.
Cut (1)
1. Jalen Morton: The undrafted free agent from Prairie View A&M is facing a massive uphill battle to start his pro career. However, Morton could emerge as a valuable practice squad player if he proves worthy of further development during camp.
Updating roster prediction
QB (3): Aaron Rodgers, Tim Boyle, Jordan Love