What was that?
If you watched all four quarters of the Green Bay Packers' embarrassing preseason loss to the Denver Broncos, nobody can ever question your commitment to your team. Green Bay lost 27-2, with its only points coming from the defense.
Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt went a combined 16/26 for 95 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. The Packers averaged 3.7 yards per passing play.
It's not a preseason overreaction to say Clifford shouldn't be the backup quarterback. A poor minicamp became a disappointing training camp, and those struggles have continued into the preseason. Matt LaFleur's decision to bench Clifford with only seconds remaining in the first half could be a sign the Packers agree.
Pratt has shown promise this summer, but he isn't ready. The seventh-round rookie needs a year of development as the third-string quarterback.
Enter Ryan Tannehill?
Packers need to sign Ryan Tannehill after latest preseason disaster
It's becoming a trend for NFL fans to call for Ryan Tannehill the moment their backup quarterback makes a bad play. In the Packers' case, it makes sense. Green Bay has given Clifford and Pratt plenty of opportunities to prove they can handle the backup quarterback duties, but the results simply haven't been there.
And we are seeing more and more tweets like this:
Call Ryan Tannehill
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) August 19, 2024
Tannehill is the best free-agent quarterback, and it's not particularly close. The other options are underwhelming. A former Pro Bowler with 151 career starts to his name, Tannehill would solidify the backup spot. If Jordan Love missed a game or two, Tannehill could step in and help the Packers win games.
Can Clifford or Pratt do the same? Based on Sunday's performance in Denver, the answer is a resounding no.
Less than three weeks away from their regular-season opener in Brazil, time is running out for the Packers to figure things out at the backup quarterback spot. Considering the quarterback injuries around the league, it's unlikely Tannehill will be available for long.
The Packers need to make a move.