Packers make final call on QB competition, but there is an important step left

The Green Bay Packers let clear that the team was not happy with the quarterback competition in training camp. A day after acquiring Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans for a seventh-round pick, the Packers waived both Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, who backed up Jordan Love throughout training camp and preseason.

Surprising decision

The decision to move on from Sean Clifford is expected. After all, the former fifth-round pick had one year of experience in the system and couldn’t perform at a good level.

The mild surprise is the Packers’ decision to cut Michael Pratt, a player whom the Packers spent a seventh-round pick on this year. The rookie was better than Clifford in exhibition games, but not enough for Green Bay to keep him on the 53-man roster.

Now, both players go on waivers. Any team in the NFL can claim either or both. Clifford might not be claimed because he was never seen as a good prospect — the Packers reached to draft him in the fifth round last season because they needed a cheap backup quarterback. With Pratt, though, the situation can be different. He was perceived as an early day 3 talent who fell to the seventh round.

The Packers don't expect either to be claimed.

Packers next step

The Packers will open the regular season with only Jordan Love and Malik Wilis on the 53-man roster at the quarterback position. But one of Michael Pratt or Sean Clifford will probably return to the practice squad. According to Bill Huber , the Packers will prioritize Clifford, who is more experienced.

If Clifford is claimed by another team, though, which seems unlikely, the Packers could theoretically revert back to Pratt as an alternative.

There are some other quarterback options around the league, like Desmond Ridder and Bailey Zappe, available on waivers. At the same time that they are options for the Packers, their availability increases the chances of Clifford and Pratt clearing waivers.

Willis needing to play early would be an issue for the Packers, since he hasn’t practiced with the team. Presumably, Green Bay would want a quarterback who knows the system and his teammates backing up Love in Brazil against the Philadelphia Eagles and early in the season. Therefore, whoever gets back on the practice squad will probably get elevated for gameday at first, while Willis acclimates to the team.

Track record

The last time the Packers cut every backup quarterback after training camp was in 2013, when Ted Thompson got rid of Vince Young, Graham Harrell, and BJ Coleman. At the time, the Packers signed Seneca Wallace to the 53-man roster and Scott Tolzien to the practice squad. Both ended up playing in the regular season when Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone — the team also brought Matt Flynn back.

Related: Packers roster cuts tracker: Green Bay builds its initial 2024 53-man roster