The Green Bay Packers will likely transition to Jordan Love as their new starting quarterback in 2023, but they can use some depth behind the former first-round pick if moving on from Aaron Rodgers.
Per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the Packers will meet with Sean Clifford for a top-30 draft visit. Clifford threw 86 touchdowns during five seasons at Penn State.
Neither CBS Sports nor Pro Football Focus even ranked Clifford among its top quarterbacks in this year’s class, so some onlookers wondered why they invested a visit on a possible Day 3 pick or undrafted free agent.
“Top 30 visit?! What!!?” Tino Bovenzi of Fox 8 News asked incredulously.
Top 30 visit?! What!!? https://t.co/QGZlD8HvhR
— Tino Bovenzi (@TinoBovenzi) April 10, 2023
“Why though,” The Leap’s Peter Bukowski wondered.
… why though https://t.co/SmGIfcgqmp
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) April 10, 2023
“Yes I agree Sean Clifford was one of the top 30 quarterbacks in the Big Ten last year,” Sports Illustrated‘s Patrick Andres said jokingly.
Yes I agree Sean Clifford was one of the top 30 quarterbacks in the Big Ten last year https://t.co/WMcAC2xtDJ
— Patrick Andres (@PAndres2001) April 10, 2023
“Packers like to use their top 30 visits on late round/undrafted FA type guys,” a fan noted. “Just another QB3 type prospect.”
Packers like to use their top 30 visits on late round/undrafted FA type guys. Just another qb3 type prospect https://t.co/m8EuCwWA04
— Garrett Adair (@GarrettAdair19) April 10, 2023
Clifford will turn 25 before the 2023 season begins. He’s only a few months younger than Love, whom the Packers drafted in 2020.
He ended his collegiate career by completing 16 of 21 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-21 Rose Bowl win over Utah. However, Clifford doesn’t have much upside as a prospect.
Yet a visit doesn’t mean Green Bay is planning to draft Clifford early (if at all) and let him compete for playing time.