Best Packers’ Free Agent Fits in 2023: Quarterback
The Green Bay Packers’ quarterback position is completely up in the air. Will Aaron Rodgers retire? If he plays next season, will he return to the Packers or will he be traded? Will Jordan Love be the starter? I’ll add another question to the list: Who will be the backup quarterback if Rodgers is traded or retires?
If Love takes over as the starting quarterback, you can add another position of need to the Packers’ growing list. The backup will likely need significant NFL experience to continue mentoring Love and step in if an injury occurs. Oh, and he can’t cost a lot of money, as the Packers don’t have a lot of cap space, nor can they afford to spend on a backup quarterback when they have other glaring needs on the roster.
That brings us to a rather small list of free agent fits at the quarterback position.
The Green Bay Packers could have a need for a backup quarterback in 2023 and these quarterbacks fit perfectly for what they’re looking for.
Case Keenum
Keenum has bounced around the NFL throughout his career, playing for eight different teams in his 10 NFL seasons. At 35-years-old, he will continue to be a backup for the rest of his career and could continue to bounce around. He’d be a cheap backup for the Packers and someone who has proven they can start in an emergency.
Joe Flacco
If Green Bay wants to add someone with significant playoff experience and a Super Bowl champion, Flacco is their guy. After starting for the Baltimore Ravens for the first nine years of his career, he’s finally turned into a backup. He only made $3.5 million last year and could take even less in 2023.
Andy Dalton
Dalton also has tremendous experience as a starting quarterback, even if he didn’t have the same level of team success as Flacco. He started 14 games for the New Orleans Saints last year, so he will be a bit pricier than the guys before him on this list. However, he’s probably not any team’s first option as a starter.
Chad Henne
Henne has spent the last four years backing up Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City and has played sparingly throughout that time. It would be hard to entice him away from the Chiefs, but Green Bay would have use for him. He’s a savvy quarterback who wouldn’t have high expectations from his next contract.
Tim Boyle
Boyle has bounced around the NFC North, playing for the Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears over the last three years. He was ahead of Love on the depth chart the last time he was in Green Bay, but things would be different this time around. He’s familiar with Matt LaFleur and the offense.
Next. Packers free agency rankings: 50 best free agents. dark
Taylor Heinicke
Heinicke is out of the Packers’ price range for a backup quarterback, but they were his favorite team growing up. At 30-years-old, his window to earn a starting gig is closing and he likely wants to go somewhere that’s more of an open competition. However, Green Bay would welcome him with open arms as the best backup quarterback on this list.