Draft: No, the Packers shouldn’t select a quarterback in the first round

The Green Bay Packers shouldn’t use an early-round pick on a quarterback.

On Monday, Yahoo’s Charles Robinson reported that Missouri quarterback Drew Lock will be visiting with the Green Bay Packers.

As expected, it led to a mixed response from Packers Twitter. Some fans believe it would be the right decision to select a quarterback to eventually replace Aaron Rodgers. Others strongly disagree.

But to be clear, it’s just one visit. And just because Lock is visiting with the Packers, it doesn’t mean the team will have any interest in drafting him. There are many reasons why they could schedule a visit, from improving their leverage in potential trades, to just getting familiar with a quarterback they’re likely to play against in the coming years. There’s also a good chance they just want to get to know another prospect in the draft.

This visit with Lock aside, the Packers shouldn’t yet be focusing on the eventual successor to Rodgers. Many have drawn parallels to the 2015 NFL Draft, when Green Bay surprisingly selected Rodgers at No. 24 despite already having a future Hall-of-Famer at QB in Brett Favre.

While it’s understandable why comparisons have been made — Rodgers is a similar age to Favre was in 2005 — the situation isn’t exactly the same. After all, Rodgers only signed a multi-year extension last offseason, one that made him the highest-paid player in league history.

In terms of contract, a first-round QB could line up with the end of Rodgers’ contract. By selecting a passer on Day 1, the Packers would have a fifth-year option after their rookie contract was up. Assuming they agreed a new long-term deal following the 2023 season, the 2019 draft pick could be become a starter once Rodgers’ current deal expires.

However, Rodgers has said he wants to play into his 40s, which means this current contract might not be his last. Also, by selecting a rookie quarterback now the Packers would need him to be the backup for five years. That’s a long time. The New England Patriots traded away Jimmy Garoppolo in a similar situation, who many believed would replace future Hall-of-Famer Tom Brady.

Considering Rodgers has five years left on his contract, is still in his prime and the Packers are in a mini-rebuild led by a new head coach and second-year general manager, the focus shouldn’t be on the eventual successor to Rodgers. The focus should be on the present, building a roster around Rodgers to give this team the best opportunity to win another championship.

Gutekunst’s aggressiveness in free agency suggests he’s focused on winning now, and that approach should continue in the draft.