Green Bay Packers' Gamble at Backup Quarterback Could Come Back to Haunt Them

After signing quarterback Jordan Love to the highest paying NFL contract ever (at least up until yesterday) it is understandable why the Green Bay Packers would want to keep the backup quarterback position as affordable as possible. However, that offseason decision is one that has the potential to derail their 2024 season just as it is beginning.

As of right now, it sounds like the Packers might have dodged a bullet as far as the leg injury Love suffered Friday night in the closing seconds of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles. What looked to be something potentially season ending will, according to multiple reports, likely only keep him out three to four weeks. Unfortunately, with the NFC North as competitive as it's been in years, that might be just enough to put the Packers too far behind to get caught up and their backup QB situation isn't helping that.

Green Bay believed in Malik Willis enough to trade a draft pick to the Tennessee Titans for him. However, even if he turns out to be everything the Packers hoped for, he's only been with the team for less than two weeks. Expecting him to have a full grasp on the offense in such a short amount of time is asking a lot and third string/practice squad quarterback Sean Clifford's poor preseason performance was the reason the Packers traded for Willis in the first place.

Even signing a veteran player, like Ryan Tannehill (as the team is rumored to have considered) would have limited effect at this juncture because of the learning curve that would be needed. 

Ultimately, the best the 0-1 Packers can do is hope Willis and the rest of the team are good enough not to go winless during Love's absence and leave Green Bay in too big of a hole to catch up. General Manager Brian Gutekunst, in the meantime, will likely come under scrutiny for his decision to not sign a proven veteran player behind Love or at least bring one to camp in the offseason, leaving them now in a position where their developmental player will be asked to put the team on his shoulders way too soon. It's a decision that could end the team's Super Bowl aspirations at week 2.