A bit of a curveball in the construction of the Green Bay Packers’ quarterback room to start the 2024 season: the team wants Sean Clifford back on the practice squad, not rookie Michael Pratt.
The Packers will release both Clifford and Pratt during final cuts on Tuesday. The team agreed to trade with the Tennessee Titans for 2022 third-round pick Malik Willis on Monday.
According to Bill Huber of SI.com, the Packers want Clifford — and not Pratt — back on the practice squad.
While Pratt, a seventh-round pick in the 2024 draft, appears to have more throwing talent and overall potential than Clifford, the Packers likely see Willis as the new developmental quarterback, and Clifford — the more experienced quarterback — is needed as a backup while Willis gets up to speed with the offense early in the season. Clifford can be elevated from the practice squad while the competition behind Jordan Love continues into the regular season.
Per Huber, Pratt will go from being in the mix to be the Packers’ backup to looking for a new home, likely on a new team’s practice squad.
Pratt was a seventh-round pick out of Tulane, where he started all four seasons. He threw one touchdown pass and one interception during the preseason. At no point did he look ready to be the No. 2 quarterback for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, but his arm looked NFL-caliber.
Clifford struggled for much of his second summer in Green Bay. He threw multiple interceptions during training camp practices and was ineffective during the preseason, completing only 22 of 43 attempts.
Of course, the Packers’ plans could change if Clifford is claimed on waivers. It’s also possible some team will see the potential in Pratt and claim him on waivers on Wednesday.
While Pratt is probably a better fit as the No. 3 quarterback on the practice squad, the logistical challenges of getting Willis ready with only days before the start of the regular season will likely necessitate keeping Clifford.