Green Bay made a outside-the-organization addition for its third quarterback role, signing former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune to the Packers’ practice squad for the start of the 2025 season. The move comes after Green Bay decided not to elevate rookie Taylor Elgersma or 2023 fifth-round pick Sean Clifford to the role.
Clayton Tune, listed at 6-2 and 220 pounds, was a 2023 draft pick, taken 139th overall. That pick came 10 spots ahead of Green Bay’s selection of Clifford at No. 149. Tune’s path in the NFL has been rocky so far. Over two seasons, he has appeared in 13 games with one start, completing 14 of 23 passes for 70 yards, with zero touchdowns, two interceptions, and seven sacks taken. In his lone 2023 start, Week 9 against the Browns, he completed 11 of 20 passes for 58 yards, with two interceptions, seven sacks, and a fumble in a 27-0 loss.
In the 2024 preseason, Tune showed a bit more production, completing 30 of 49 throws for 186 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, though he was sacked eight times and scrambled six times. He was released by Arizona on Tuesday and cleared waivers on Wednesday, paving the way for his arrival in Green Bay.
Tune has college ties to Green Bay’s roster through Houston, where he played alongside Packers first-round pick Matthew Golden in 2022. In Arizona, the Cardinals leaned on veteran Jacoby Brissett as a backup behind Kyler Murray, which limited Tune’s opportunity to prove himself in head-to-head competition for the backing role.
What this means for Green Bay
– The Packers are stocking the QB room with developmental options, selecting Tune to provide a potential future depth behind the presumed No. 1 and No. 2 quarterbacks.
– Elgersma’s limited experience and Clifford’s continued development path left the team seeking a different path for the third spot, and Tune’s pro experience gives him a runway to grow within Green Bay’s system.
– The move underscores the Packers’ intent to cultivate a pitcher with NFL exposure who can be molded within their coaching staff, potentially paying dividends if he makes progress in development and situational readiness.
Outlook
Tune will join the practice squad and work under Green Bay’s coaches to refine his technique, decision-making, and pocket presence. If he shows progress, he could emerge as a legitimate future depth option or compete for backup duties in the coming seasons.
Overall takeaway
Green Bay has added a quarterback with NFL experience and a documented development arc to its practice squad, aiming to bolster depth and potential long-term upside at the position. The move aligns with a broader trend of developing young quarterbacks behind the starter and the primary backup.