The Green Bay Packers have placed an emphasis on adding young quarterbacks through the draft, a philosophy introduced by Ron Wolf. Ironically, the Packers' best backup for Jordan Love came via trade, when the team sent a seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans for Malik Willis.
Last summer, Green Bay had the two quarterbacks it drafted in consecutive years, Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, compete for the No. 2 job. Neither won.
The Packers moved on from Pratt, and while Clifford remained in Green Bay, he fell down to No. 3 on the depth chart to accommodate the incoming Willis.
It's a huge summer for Clifford, who faces competition for his job again. The Packers have added another young quarterback to the roster, and it could cost Clifford his roster spot.
Packers can move on from Sean Clifford if Taylor Elgersma continues to impress at training camp
The Packers overcame competition to sign rookie Taylor Elgersma earlier in the offseason. They hosted the Canadian quarterback for their rookie minicamp and moved quickly to sign him before he visited the Buffalo Bills.
Elgersma caught attention during rookie minicamp and has continued to impress ever since.
While he's a long way from playing regular-season snaps, the Packers may have unearthed a young talent to develop into a future No. 2. They also have additional reason to make a roster spot for him. Not only would other teams, like the Bills, potentially want to bring him in, but Elgersma's name was called in the second round of the Canadian Football League Draft.
He won't have to wait long to find work if the Packers move on.
Elgersma offers untapped potential. It may never work out for him in the NFL, but the Packers clearly like what they've seen from the 23-year-old to this point.
Clifford, however, hasn't shown enough to secure a backup job. The Packers had to trade for a veteran after the preseason because he failed to win the job. Not only that, but they trusted Willis to start over Clifford in Week 2 despite not fully understanding the playbook.
Green Bay raised eyebrows by selecting Clifford in the fifth round two years ago, far earlier than projected, and he hasn't done enough to silence those doubts. In the preseason last summer, Clifford completed only 51.2 percent of his passes for 207 yards, one touchdown, and one interception for a 62.8 rating.
Love and Willis will take the top two spots on the depth chart, but Clifford now faces pressure for the No. 3 job. While he is a smart player and is respected for his work in the quarterback room, Elgersma's potential may force them to move on.