Matt LaFleur makes bullish claim about Green Bay Packers' Jordan Love backup
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur insisted the ‘game is not too big’ for quarterback Sean Clifford as the rookie was confirmed as the backup to Jordan Love.
On Thursday, LaFleur announced Clifford will be the No. 2 quarterback on the Packers’ depth chart as the franchise moves on from Aaron Rodgers. Clifford, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, went 33-of-45 for 345 yards, a touchdown and a pair of interceptions through two preseason contests.
“I think it’s safe to say Sean is our No. 2 quarterback,” LaFleur told reporters. “A lot of it is just his mental makeup. You saw it in the Cincinnati game in terms of his ability to rebound.
“The game’s not too big for him.”
Clifford beat out Alex McGough to the job behind Love. It is unclear whether the Packers will retain McGough, and fans will find out on Tuesday if Green Bay intends to house three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster in 2023.
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Clifford was awarded Rodgers’ old locker, four stalls down from Love, with the four-time MVP sending a signed jersey as a touching welcome gesture. He also added a message, which read: “Sean, welcome to GB! Enjoy that great city and my locker!”
The 24-year-old proved his worth at Penn State University by departing as the program’s all-time leader in wins (32), passing yards (10,661) and passing touchdowns (86). Earlier this offseason, Clifford admitted he is aware of the significance of the locker and hopes to take advantage of his opportunity behind Love.
Sean Clifford has impressed Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur in preseason (AP)“Obviously, I understand who was in here before and I respect everything about that,” Clifford said. “At the same time, I came in and I found my name on the plate and I sat down. I'm doing whatever it takes to win games here.
“I’m very appreciative of the opportunity. Green Bay has a guy who's going to come in and give them their all, and I can promise that. I'm just trying to create my own legacy now and continue just to get better.”
The upcoming 2023 season will be the first time Rodgers - a 10-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro - will be playing in another uniform in the NFL after being traded to the New York Jets. The Packers are adjusting to life without Rodgers, with Love taking over as the starting quarterback for the first time since he was selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
With Clifford waiting in the wings, the new season will be a big year for Love after spending his first three years as a backup and appearing in 10 total games. If he fails to impress and the Packers flounder, Green Bay could turn to Clifford or even the 2024 NFL Draft to search for Rodgers’ true long-term successor.
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