The Green Bay Packers must consider adding a signal-caller this week due to the injury statuses of Jordan Love and Malik Willis, not to mention the team’s dire situation at the emergency QB spot.
Head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters on Sunday, December 21 that Love is feeling better after sustaining a concussion late in the first half against the Chicago Bears the night before, but his status remains a question mark heading into next weekend’s matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
Willis, the backup QB, sustained a shoulder injury near the end of the fourth quarter against the Bears, and his health is also a serious concern with six days before a big game for the Packers’ playoff chances.
“I’d say he’s pretty sore,” LaFleur said of Willis. “I mean, it’s a legitimate deal that he’s dealing with. He’s gonna be another guy that just, we’ll see where he’s at as we progress. And that further complicates the other problem [with Love].”
As disconcerting as it is for the Packers’ to enter a critical contest potentially absent Love and Willis, the team’s emergency QB situation paints a far worse picture. LaFleur answered a question about the team’s emergency signal-caller against the Bears on Saturday with two names, one belonging to a running back and the other to a wide receiver.
“We have two guys,” LaFleur said. “Josh Jacobs is one, and Jayden Reed is the other.”
Josh Jacobs, Jayden Reed Were Packers’ Emergency QBs Against Bears in Week 15
GettyRunning back Josh Jacobs of the Green Bay Packers.
Obviously, Jacobs and Reed are unacceptable answers if Love and Willis both prove unable to go next Saturday. Clayton Tune is currently on the Packers’ practice squad.
Given the inherent uncertainty surrounding the injuries to both of Green Bay’s primary quarterbacks, the Packers may look to the free-agent market to add another viable signal-caller to the offense this week. Tune has just 23 total pass attempts throughout his NFL career.
Sooner is better, in case Green Bay actually needs that player to take snaps against Baltimore.
The current group of free agents is thin, though one name that sticks out is Taylor Heinicke. The 32-year-old QB, who most recently played for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, has earned more than $19 million across seven active regular seasons in the league.
Taylor Heinicke Arguably Best of Limited QB Options in Late-Season Free Agency
GettyFormer Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Taylor Heinicke.
Heinicke joined the NFL in 2015, signing with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted rookie. He remained in Minneapolis for more than two years before that franchise released him in September 2017.
Though Heinicke never played a regular-season snap for the Packers’ NFC North Division rival, he went on to appear in 42 games (29 starts) across stints with the Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons and Chargers.
Heinicke is 13-15-1 as a starter and has amassed 6,663 passing yards, 39 TDs and 28 INTs in his career. He has also rushed for 608 yards and three scores.
Other QBs currently available in free agency include Desmond Ridder, Nate Sudfeld and others.
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