Packers reportedly met with ECU QB Holton Ahlers: What to Know
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers have reportedly met with ECU quarterback Holton Ahlers, according to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network.
As I wrote recently, the Packers will meet with hundreds of players over the next few months with the pre-draft process in full swing and the college All-Star games complete. So every report should be taken with a grain of salt, but it’s not nothing either.
Ahlers, who has a big frame, standing 6’3″ and weighing 231 pounds, comes out of ECU with a lot of experience. In five seasons, he had over 2,000 dropbacks and 1,831 pass attempts. His 2022 season was his best as a passer, however.
The left-handed Ahlers completed 67% of his 290 passes at a career-high 7.8 yards per attempt with 23 touchdowns to five interceptions. His 26 completions on passes of 20-plus yards were also the 18th most in college football. For his career, Ahlers’ completion rate is 60%, with 7.4 yards per pass and 91 touchdowns to 31 interceptions.
Ahlers was also active with the ball in his hands, totaling 268 career rush attempts at 5.8 yards per carry and 24 touchdowns. It’s also worth noting that PFF credited him with 28 fumbles as well.
For more on Ahlers’ game, below is what the NFL Draft Bible wrote in their pre-draft report. They also have him projected as going undrafted.
"“Ahlers is a large, mobile quarterback who extends plays for large gains downfield, but his throwing motion and arm talent put limitations on his upside as a prospect.”"
Regardless of what happens with Aaron Rodgers this offseason, the Packers will have a need to fill at the quarterback position–the question becomes, to what degree?
Even if Rodgers does return to Green Bay, I would expect the Packers to add another quarterback or two to their roster this offseason. Right now, they only have three with Rodgers, Jordan Love, and Danny Etling. At a minimum, they’ll likely carry four over the summer with so many reps to go around during practice.
On the flip side, if Rodgers does end up retiring or being traded, the need for a quarterback does increase Love will, of course, be the starter, but the Packers will then need to find a backup for him and also round out the depth chart for training camp and the preseason.
A veteran quarterback, in this scenario, would likely be the best option to fill that backup role, although I wouldn’t rule out the Packers spending one of their 11 draft picks on the position either–although not too early on. If you recall, back in 2008, the Packers did draft Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn in the same draft while they still had Aaron Rodgers.