Packers training camp preview: Quarterbacks in the spotlight
Packers Wire will go position by position previewing the roster, highlighting battles to watch, the things that actually matter and young players to monitor this summer.
Here is our training camp preview of the quarterback position:
On the roster (4)
Most important: Healthy Jordan Love
Malik Willis played the role of savior across four extended appearances last season, helping the Packers win back-to-back games without Jordan Love in September and then aiding a late win in Jacksonville late in October. The Packers don't go to the postseason without those three wins. However, the fate of Matt LaFleur's team in 2025 rests on Love staying healthy and playing a top level, especially late in the season. He's entering Year 3 as the starter and is surrounded by an impressive supporting cast featuring veteran pass-catchers, a deep offensive line and a Pro Bowl running back. It isn't unfair to give Love something of a pass for last season; he dealt with multiple injuries to his lower half. A healthy version of the Packers quarterback should be more mobile, more accurate and more consistent of a playmaker in 2025. -- Zach Kruse
What to watch: Clifford vs. Elgersma
With Jordan Love entrenched as the starter and Malik Willis positioned as the primary backup, the quarterback room heads into training camp with one clear competition: the QB3 battle. That battle pits Sean Clifford, entering his third season, against Canadian rookie Taylor Elgersma, an intriguing newcomer with raw tools and upside. Elgersma's film shows he can throw accurately to all three levels, but his pocket presence remains inconsistent, and the jump in defensive speed and complexity at the NFL level will be a major adjustment. Clifford, meanwhile, failed to build enough trust last season to win the backup role, prompting the Packers to trade for Willis. His flashes of mobility and toughness remain, but he must show better ball security, quicker post-snap reads, and command at the line of scrimmage. Anything less, and he could be on the outside looking in when roster cuts come. The Packers may only carry two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, making this one of the more consequential position battles in camp. -- Brandon Carwile
One thing that actually matters: Is Jordan Love dominant?
Reports out of OTAs indicated Jordan Love had taken another step entering year three as the starter, showing a higher level of mastery of the offense and appearing in full command. Love has had elite stretches of play in the last two seasons, most prominently in 2023, but a host of injuries robbed him of the opportunity to kick on in 2024 before he could even get going. The most straightforward path to the Packers becoming a legitimate Super Bowl contender is Love elevating to being a no doubt top-10 quarterback, if not closer to the top five. Whether he can do it will have a huge bearing on the outcome of Green Bay's season, and his performance in camp should provide an early indication of whether the lofty expectations for him in 2025 are justified. -- Mark Oldacres
Young player to watch: Sean Clifford
Malik Willis is the unquestioned backup for Jordan Love. Who will be the emergency third quarterback for the Packers? Taylor Elgersma has a live arm and is likely going to make a 'wow' throw at every practice that will have fans rooting for him to win the QB3 battle between him and Clifford. However, Clifford has the upper hand as he enters year three in Matt LaFleur's system. Can Clifford stack continued success and make the easy plays throughout camp and the preseason? If he can show that he can command the offense and limit his mistakes, he should be able to hold down the No. 3 QB spot behind Love and Willis. If Clifford can show growth this summer he could be the long-term backup for Love. -- Brennen Rupp
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