Packers should only keep two quarterbacks in 2019

The Green Bay Packers should only keep two quarterbacks on the roster this season.

The Packers often kept three quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster under Mike McCarthy, but that shouldn’t be the case this season.

In 2014 — a year after Aaron Rodgers first broke his collarbone — they kept three quarterbacks, with Matt Flynn and Scott Tolzien joining Rodgers on the final 53-man roster. The following season, Tolzien was the main backup with rookie Brett Hundley as the number three QB. And in 2016, the Packers started the year with Rodgers, Hundley and Joe Callahan.

They went back to keeping two QBs in 2017, but Brian Gutekunst decided to go back to three last summer with DeShone Kizer and Tim Boyle both making the roster.

But this season, the Packers should just keep two quarterbacks. Rodgers is of course the starter, but they should then only keep one backup on the initial roster. That position would be determined at training camp and would go to either Kizer, Boyle or Manny Wilkins.

But the Packers shouldn’t keep three quarterbacks. If Rodgers stays healthy for the entire season, having three QBs wouldn’t make any sense. But even if he misses time with an injury, as we’ve seen many times in the past, if the Packers’ third-string quarterback is starting games, the season outlook won’t be looking too good.

By only keeping two QBs, the Packers can free up a roster spot at another position. That could mean keeping a seventh wide receiver, which should be a real possibility. Maybe it would allow them to keep fullback Danny Vitale on the roster.

It would also allow Gutekunst to keep an additional pass rusher or defensive back who would have the opportunity to play regularly on defense and special teams. Barring injury, the third-string quarterback wouldn’t play at all.

Gutekunst won’t be making any final decisions just yet, but he should only keep two quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster in September.