As Malik Willis is anticipated to move on from the Tennessee Titans this offseason, the Green Bay Packers may be seeking their next quarterback project to serve as a backup for Jordan Love. Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green is emerging as a fitting candidate for this role.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst has consistently expressed his belief in the importance of drafting quarterbacks, having mentioned his strategy two years ago at the NFL Combine. With Jordan Love firmly established as the team’s future quarterback, Gutekunst’s interest in drafting a quarterback is likely to come in the later rounds, particularly with Green projected to be a Day 3 pick.
Most mock drafts suggest Green will be selected in the sixth or seventh round, positioning him as a potential asset for the Packers. His impressive athleticism has not gone unnoticed; NFL Next Gen Stats considers him one of the underdogs likely to excel at the Combine, where he is expected to rank highly in athleticism scores. Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 230 pounds, Green’s physical stature makes him an intriguing prospect.
Much like Willis, Green boasts dual-threat abilities. While he is not considered a top-tier prospect, the Packers are not in search of an immediate starter but rather a project player with room for development. Lance Zierlein from NFL.com highlights Green’s potential, noting his capability to create explosive plays both on the ground and through the air. However, he also warns of Green’s tendency to put the ball at risk, which could lead to challenges against more skilled defenses.
The philosophy of consistently drafting quarterbacks, even when a reliable starter is in place, is not new for the Packers. This approach has deep roots in the team’s culture, exemplified by their past decisions to draft Aaron Rodgers in 2005 and Jordan Love in 2020, despite having established quarterbacks in Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers at the time.
Jon-Eric Sullivan, recently hired by the Miami Dolphins, articulated this approach well, emphasizing the necessity of proactively seeking a quarterback. He noted the wisdom of not waiting until a crisis arises to find a successor.
As the Packers continue to uphold this long-standing strategy, Taylen Green’s qualities—fusing athleticism, size, and raw potential—could make him an ideal fit for Green Bay’s future, aligning with the team’s history of seeking developmental talent at the quarterback position.