The Green Bay Packers are at a crossroads as they head into the 2025 NFL season, with their hopes pinned on quarterback Jordan Love to elevate the team to new heights. Love, now fully recovered from a minor procedure that sidelined him last week, is back on the field and ready to prove his worth as the franchise’s cornerstone. With a top-of-the-market contract and only one offensive player on the roster—two-time Pro Bowl guard Elgton Jenkins—predating his tenure, the pressure is on Love to lead. As SI’s Albert Breer noted, “It’s Jordan Love time. He’s on a top-of-market deal, so the onus is on him to start lifting his teammates rather than the other way around.” The roster remains competitive, but ongoing battles at left tackle and receiver will test Love’s ability to navigate challenges and drive the team forward.
However, while Love’s role as the starting quarterback is secure, the battle for the backup quarterback position has taken an unexpected turn. Sean Clifford, a 2023 draft pick once viewed as a potential long-term backup for Love, is facing an uncertain future in Green Bay. With just one week left before roster cuts, Clifford appears to be the odd man out in a crowded quarterback room.
Clifford, a former Penn State star who amassed 86 touchdown passes in college, arrived in Green Bay with high expectations. The Packers saw him as a developmental prospect with the potential to grow into a reliable No. 2 quarterback. However, his performance has fallen short of those hopes. Last year, Clifford competed with rookie Michael Pratt for the backup role behind Love, but neither secured the job. Instead, the Packers traded for Malik Willis, a move that relegated Clifford to the practice squad. As Lombardi Ave’s Freddie Boston wrote, “Clifford had a solid preseason performance against the Colts, but his time in Green Bay could be coming to an end.”
The emergence of Jacob Elgersma, another young quarterback with upside, has further complicated Clifford’s situation. Elgersma’s potential to develop into a capable backup, especially if Willis departs in free agency next offseason, has the Packers leaning toward banking on his future. Clifford, with a $4 million cap hit, now faces the possibility of an unexpected exit as the team finalizes its roster.
The Packers’ quarterback situation underscores the high stakes of their 2025 campaign. For Jordan Love, it’s a chance to solidify his status as a franchise quarterback and lift a talented but unproven roster. For Sean Clifford, it’s a critical moment that could mark the end of his tenure in Green Bay. With roster cuts looming, the Packers are making tough decisions as they aim to build a team capable of contending in the NFC. Whether Clifford can defy the odds and secure a spot—or find a new home elsewhere—remains to be seen, but the clock is ticking on his time in Green Bay.