Packers: 5 things to watch in preseason opener against Titans

4. Backup quarterback battle

One of the top training camp competitions is at quarterback. It’s still unclear who will begin the season as Aaron Rodgers’ backup.

The top two candidates are Brett Hundley and DeShone Kizer. Hundley has experience playing in the Packers’ offense after starting nine games last season. Kizer has the potential — he was a second-round pick in 2017 and is entering just his second year in the league.

Rodgers won’t play too many series during preseason, which will allow both young quarterbacks to take center stage.

It’s tough to call who will be the number two quarterback in Week 1, but according to Zach Kruse of Packers Wire, Kizer struggled during Saturday evening’s Family Night:

"“The Packers backup quarterback got a Lambeau Leap in after a scramble, but he otherwise struggled. His accuracy and footwork under pressure are still a work in progress. Timing within the offense looked a little off, too.”"

Perhaps Tim Boyle shouldn’t be written off just yet, either. While it’s unlikely he makes the 53-man roster, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweeted last week that Boyle had been the most impressive of the backup quarterbacks.

My pick is still Kizer. The Packers traded for him this offseason, and one of the other quarterbacks will need to outplay him to win the number two job. But he will need to play well in preseason.

Thursday night’s game is a big one for all three quarterbacks.