The Green Bay Packers are going to have a much different quarterback room in 2024 than what many expected them to have coming into Tuesday. On Monday night, news broke that the Packers had agreed to send a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans in exchanged for quarterback Malik Willis.
This was a surprise to many fans because 2023 fifth-round pick Sean Clifford and 2024 seventh-round pick Michael Pratt had been battling for the backup quarterback job behind starter Jordan Love.
However, neither Packers quarterback played well in the team’s three preseason games, leading general manager Brian Gutekunst to look elsewhere for a backup.
The Green Bay Packers Released both Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt on Tuesday
Today (Tuesday) is the deadline for all NFL teams to trim their rosters from 90 to 53 players. As part of their cuts, the Packers decided to cut both Clifford and Pratt, ensuring that Willis will serve as Love’s backup quarterback in 2024.
In addition to the 53 players that NFL teams are allowed to keep on their rosters, each organization can have 16 practice squad players. Green Bay will have 17 because kicker Alex Hale has been given the team’s International Player Program designation. Players with this designation do not count towards the 16 players allowed.
Like most NFL teams, Green Bay will choose one quarterback to be on their practice squad. According to Sports Illustrated‘s Bill Huber, that quarterback will be Clifford.
“While the plan, obviously, is for Willis to eventually serve as Jordan Love’s backup, the Packers hope to bring back Clifford to the practice squad, a source said,” Huber wrote.
Green Bay Packers Fans Are at Odds Over Sean Clifford Beig Chosen Over Michael Pratt
As mentioned, neither Clifford nor Pratt played particularly well in the preseason. However, some fans appear to have favored this year’s seventh-round quarterback based on their reactions on social media. Others were happy to take a victory lap around fans that wanted Clifford to start over Love last year:
I simply do not understand the Clifford appeal. He’s never looked like an NFL QB, it’s painful watching him lead the offense. Unless it’s simply knowledge of the scheme based I cannot understand the decision to want him on the PS over Pratt https://t.co/HcAujPI9xf
— TITLΣTΩШΠ RΣIGΠ 🏆🧀 (@TitletownReign) August 27, 2024
I’m old enough to remember early last season several were yelling to put in Sean Clifford as the starting QB. Dummies.#Packers
— Chad Chaddington (@ChaddingtonSC) August 27, 2024
Sean Clifford making it back to the packers practice squad pic.twitter.com/MRqNsRPkCn
— habo (@HabibiHabo25) August 27, 2024
wtf Sean Clifford pic.twitter.com/qYiqQxqDQJ
— habo (@HabibiHabo25) August 27, 2024
Sean Clifford still has a chance !!!! https://t.co/zVbE1suyD9
— Mike The Packers Owner🇩🇴 (@MikeTheHump_) August 27, 2024
Interesting that this debate is happening over a practice squad quarterback. Aside from the San Francisco 49ers have to start Brock Purdy two years ago in an emergency situation, any team that loses their top two quarterbacks is almost certainly going to have an unsuccessful season.
In other words, it really should not matter to fans who the practice squad quarterback is.
For More Great Football Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional football, click here!
