Green Bay Packers: Previewing the Quarterback Position

As we begin to preview each position for the Green Bay Packers heading into training camp, today we start with the quarterbacks.

Beginning today I will be going position by position through this Green Bay Packers team and taking a look at each player that will be a part of the 90-man roster for training camp and the preseason. And naturally, it made sense to start with the most important position of all, the quarterback.

Despite what the national media is reporting, the quarterback position in Titletown is pretty well set for this season. We even know who the backup quarterback is going to be already. However, something that is up for debate is how many quarterbacks Matt LaFleur will decide to keep on the 53-man roster, but I’ll give my thoughts on that shortly.

So with that said, let’s take a look at the four quarterbacks that will be on the Packers’ roster this summer.

Aaron Rodgers

Yes, Aaron Rodgers is going to be the starting quarterback in Green Bay this season and he will be again in 2021. And at this point in time, I’d also say there is a good chance that he is the starting QB in 2022 as well.

Rodgers is coming off a season that from a statistical standpoint was very average. A few factors that played into that were the lack of playmaking ability at the receiver position and also this being a brand new offense for everyone. The hope in 2020 is that he can take a big step forward, similar to what Matt Ryan did in Atlanta during the 2016 season, which was his second year under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and quarterback’s coach Matt LaFleur.

Although it’s been reported that the Green Bay Packers are going to be more “run-oriented” this season, don’t be mistaken, this team will still go as far as Rodgers takes them.

Jordan Love

If anything the addition of Jordan Love is going to make the preseason much more exciting this summer.

When you put on Love’s tape it’s easy to see why GM Brian Gutekunst and LaFleur wanted to select him. He has very good size, he’s mobile, he has a big arm that can make just about any throw on the field, and there are several throws that make you say “wow.”

With that said, he is nowhere near ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. His accuracy and overall decision-making have to improve if he is going to find any sort of success in the future and while there are those “wow” throws, there are also those throws that leave you scratching your head as well.

Coming in and learning behind Rodgers for a few seasons is really an ideal situation for Love and one that we hope he takes advantage of.

Tim Boyle

With Rodgers and Love on the roster, Tim Boyle appears to be the odd man out. Last season the Green Bay Packers would carry just two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster and really that makes the most sense. I’d much rather have that roster spot go towards added depth at a different position.

However, while Boyle is still a young player, he does have NFL experience in terms of preparing week to week and going through the season-long grind. There is certainly value in having that on the roster, especially when it comes to helping Love develop.

Now, whether or not that’s enough of a reason to keep him on the roster remains to be seen and my guess is that it isn’t. But if they do keep Boyle, I’ll understand why.

Jalen Morton

With a quarterback room already made up of Rodgers, Love, and Boyle, undrafted free agent (UDFA) Jalen Morton may seem like an afterthought. However, if the Green Bay Packers do decide to keep just two quarterbacks on the roster, that means Boyle will be cut and Morton could very well end up on the practice squad as an emergency option and to develop.

At Prarie View A&M, Morton would play in 26 games over his four-year career and total 3,211 passing yards with 26 touchdowns to 18 interceptions. However, his career completion percentage was just 50 percent. Meanwhile on the ground, he would accumulate an additional 1,018 rushing yards and 13 more touchdowns.

As is the case for any UDFA, it’s going to be an uphill battle for Morton to make the team. But with that said, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com points out in his scouting report that Morton has good “arm talent” and he “has the potential to make pro throws.” Which ultimately played a big factor in the Packers signing him.