Even though Sean Clifford is the team’s backup quarterback for the second year, the Green Bay Packers are nonetheless enthusiastic about what he can bring to the table in the draft this year.
Matt LaFleur remarked, “I’m really enthusiastic about Sean,” at the NFL Owners Meetings. “I observed his progress in practice and his ability to compete with our defense.”
Clifford completed 72% of his 57 throw attempts in the previous preseason, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt, with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Then, late in the regular season, against Minnesota in Week 17, he completed a 37-yard pass to Bo Melton.
Clifford demonstrated a quarterback who wasn’t scared to push the ball or make tight-window throws in addition to impressive stats.
Clifford showed resilience, as LaFleur noted, when he threw an interception in the preseason game against Cincinnati and then proceeded to drive for a score on the next possession, seemingly unfazed by what had happened.
LaFleur continued, I just witnessed so much progress throughout the course of the season. He simply kept becoming better and better and better.
During practice, he would make some throws you wouldn’t always know he was capable of. He has played at a high level and started a lot of games at Penn State for a reason.
Clifford had almost 1,600 dropbacks in his Penn State career before being selected by the Packers in the fifth round of the 2023 draft.
The Packers selected Clifford in the first round of the draft because of his experience, even though it was at the collegiate level, his locker room fit, and the athleticism and playmaking flair he offers to the position. The quarterback room was rather inexperienced the previous season.
When he had the chance to play in the preseason, LaFleur stated, “I thought there were some spurts where he showed some resiliency.
These are things that you might not be able to coach. That resilience, exactly. Because he’s a competitive guy, I think he’ll improve in Year 2 of our system.
But general manager Brian Gutekunst stated he was excited to resume drafting and developing quarterbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine last month.
This may be interpreted, understandably, as Clifford possibly facing pressure to take over as the backup quarterback.
Additionally, I’m confident that Gutekunst wants to add someone who can challenge him and improve the field. This summer, Gutekunst has made numerous references to the competition factor and expressed his desire to see it implemented in every position group.
All of that may be true, but in my opinion, the team’s recent departure from the organizational philosophy of selecting and developing quarterbacks—as noted by Gutekunst—is more significant than their belief that Clifford needs to be replaced.
This strategy extends far beyond Gutekunst’s time as general manager. As I’m sure everyone remembers, Ted Thompson selected Brian Brohm in the second round and Matt Flynn in the seventh round prior to Aaron Rodgers’ debut season.
