Green Bay Packers should draft a backup quarterback
Packer fans understand the importance of Aaron Rodgers. Forced to compete for much of the 2013 season without their MVP, the team limped into the playoffs with an 8-7-1 record. Rodgers is the answer for Green Bay, and while he believes he could play for another 10 years, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL.
Investing in a backup quarterback would give the Packers security, and could potentially save the team should Rodgers be sidelined for a significant amount of time.
Right now the Packers have two options at backup, Matt Flynn and Scott Tolzien. Flynn, while he once defeated the Detroit Lions with a six-touchdown performance, seems to have lost his touch. Flynn completed only half of his passes in the 2014 season, threw one interception, and had no touchdowns. He finished the season with a 34.9 passer rating.
Granted, Flynn’s playing time was limited in 2014. Filling in for Rodgers in blowout situations and briefly when Rodgers left the game with a calf injury, Flynn’s sample size was small this season. Still, Flynn did not appear to be a viable option after his 2014 performance.
Nov 9, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn (10) gets a pass off against Chicago Bears linebacker Shea McClellin (50) in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Tolzien, while he certainly has potential, has not developed enough to take Rodgers’ place if needed. Joining the Packers in 2013, it seemed as though Green Bay planned to develop the young quarterback. Then tragedy struck in Wisconsin. Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone and Tolzien was thrust into the spotlight.
Appearing in games against the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings, Tolzien threw only touchdown against five interceptions.
The 2013 season proved that, despite what some Packer fans would like to believe, Aaron Rodgers is indeed human. Sidelined with a collarbone injury, the absence of Rodgers also taught Packer nation that the team is woefully unprepared to compete without Rodgers at the helm. If Rodgers were to suffer another major injury (knock on wood), the Packers would struggle to be successful.
Wednesday’s edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel claimed that the Packers may draft a quarterback this year. Similar to the strategy Green Bay used in 2005, could the Packers already be searching for Rodgers’ successor? It’s not a bad idea. Realistically, Rodgers is only one injury away from an NFL exit (again, knock on wood).
The team needs to prepared for even the most excruciating of circumstances.
Drafting a quarterback under Aaron Rodgers would give the young player the opportunity to observe and learn from one of the best quarterbacks in the league. It’s obvious that the Packers develop quarterbacks incredibly well. Having two consecutive elite quarterbacks is rare, and experiencing 22 years of success behind two quarterbacks is nothing short of incredible.
Now, imagine the Packers without Rodgers. Think about what would have happened if the Packers had left the California native on the board and opted for someone else. Picture the post-Favre years without the two time MVP leading way. Though fans will never know for sure, it’s likely that the Packers would have regressed to an 80s-esque situation, lacking a stable quarterback.
Though the move was questioned at the time, the Packers still had Brett Favre after all, it has worked out quite nicely for the organization. Ten years after drafting Rodgers, rumors suggest the Packers may be interested in trying their luck with a quarterback once again.
Eyeing Brandon Bridge, a basically unknown quarterback out of South Alabama, the Packers seem serious about his potential. Visiting South Alabama twice during the season, Bridge also spoke with the team during the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Game as well.
Speaking with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bridge believes he has the talent to compete in the NFL.
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“I can extend the play, I have a very strong arm, if not the strongest arm in this draft. Those are my two strengths.”
He also mentioned that he would be perfectly fine watching Rodgers do the work for awhile.
“If they ask me to sit back and learn behind a veteran quarterback, that’s something I’ll do and I’d be perfectly fine with that. That’d help out my career a whole lot to sit back, be patient and watch the game slow down.”
What the Packers decide to do with the backup position remains to be seen, but drafting one may not be a bad idea. Having a guy that is capable of winning on the roster can only benefit the team.
If the Packers are smart, they will take the opportunity to draft a quarterback and put the effort in to developing him, because if they have learned anything from the last couple years, it’s the importance of a quarterback.