Packers Draft: Three Quarterbacks for the Backup Position

Green Bay Packers quarterbacks Sean Clifford and Jordan Love. 

The Green Bay Packers are all set at the starting quarterback position. With Jordan Love having a historic first full season as the Packers starter, there is one thing that's certain. Green Bay is in need of a capable backup. 

Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, especially not health. That's why the NFL Draft couldn't come at a better time for the upstart Packers, the youngest team in the NFL. With the untested and inexperienced Sean Clifford as Jordan Love's only backup on the roster, Green Bay is in need of an upgrade. 

Here are three....ummm....four quarterbacks the Packers should target in this year's NFL Draft. 

4. (Honorable Mention) Rocky Lombardi, NIU

MAC Champion Rocky Lombardi

It's not just the name, but it certainly helps! 

Not only does Lombardi sound like he should be a Green Bay Packer, but he fits the part to a tee. Having served as Michigan State's QB, before transferring to MAC school Northern Illinois University, Lombardi has seven years of Division I football experience under his belt. 

Lombardi is a natural born leader, instinctive, and also a bit of a gun slinger ala another Packers all-time great QB, Brett Favre. There were times Lombardi willed Northern Illinois University to victory, but it worked for the big-armed quarterback with the famous last name. Lombardi proved he was a leader, by rallying his underdog NIU Huskie teammates to a MAC Championship over Arkansas State in last year's Camellia Bowl. 

Oh, and the Packers have already brought him in for a visit. 

He's tough, smart, a great leader, and a consummate team player. What's not to like about the next great Lombardi in Green Bay?

3. Sam Hartman, Notre Dame

The lead role in the next romance movie? Not a chance! 

The thick-bearded Hartman, with long flowing locks, looks straight out of casting for the next major motion picture Hollywood romance. But, don't be too quick to judge a book by its cover. The Notre Dame quarterback can play the game of football. 

Hartman set records at Wake Forest before transferring to Notre Dame to be the Fighting Irish's starter. After winning the Gasparilla Bowl, Hartman left the Demon Deacons, but only after breaking the school's records in completions, yards, touchdowns, and touchdown passes. 

For the Fighting Irish, Hartman threw for 24 touchdowns compared to only 8 interceptions before appropriately finishing his collegiate career in Ireland. 

Hartman showed strength in adversity when he overcame a blood clot in 2022. He's intelligent, a team player, a touch passer, and is deceptively quick. 

2. Joe Milton, Tennessee

Could Joe Milton be Jordan Love's next backup QB?

The man with the biggest arm in college football stands at a hulking 6'5" tall and will have no problem seeing the NFL field over centers. Milton arguably has the strongest arm of any quarterback in this year's draft class, which would help him in the apt named frozen tundra. With a lightning quick release, Milton can easily heave the football 60 yards in the air through the most treacherous of winds. 

And don't let this Florida native fool you. Milton previously played for the National Champion Michigan Wolverines, where he saw his fair share of cold weather. Even the whirling winds of Green Bay won't be a match for his cannon of an arm. 

Milton is also deceptively fast for a big guy. The 240 pounder scampered for an 81 yard touchdown run against UTSA, and finished the season with 20 touchdowns, the most from a Volunteer since Jonathan Crompton stunned with six way back in 2009. 

1. Michael Penix, Washington

Michael Penix at the Senior Bowl. 

If not for a checkered injury history, Michael Penix might be this year's first quarterback off the board and he has the experience to prove it. Starting his collegiate career at the University of Indiana, Penix really took off only after transferring to Washington, but in what is a common theme for the dynamic passer with the golden arm, he never ever gave up. 

While at Washington, Penix had two of the best seasons in college football history, throwing for 9,544 yards and 67 touchdown passes. Penix led the Huskies to an undefeated season his senior year, as well as an appearance in the National Championship game against Michigan. 

There's something beautiful about the way Penix throws the football. Often looking effortless, Penix shows great touch, but can also throw the football with the best of them, all while displaying near superhuman accuracy. He wowed at the NFL Scouting Combine, throwing one perfectly located deep ball after the next.

Penix, the MVP of this year's Pac-12 Championship game, has also overcome his own fair share of adversity, showing great strength, character, and resilience throughout. Easy to root for with great character and leadership skills to boot, Penix became a favorite teammate at Washington. 

If Jordan Love ever succumbs to injury, Penix certainly has the skill level to provide the type of quarterback play that could keep the Green Bay Packers in contention.