The Packers are set to rely on Malik Willis in the event Jordan Love misses time over the coming weeks. That remains a distinct possibility in the latter’s case, but he will not be placed on injured reserve. 
Love is dealing with an MCL sprain, and he is facing a recovery timeline of three to six weeks. Placing him on IR would guarantee an absence of at least four weeks, but head coach Matt LaFleur said on Monday that route will not be taken. Love is therefore a candidate to return on the short end of that timeframe, and for that reason Green Bay is not interested in adding a signal-caller.
“No. Despite reports,” LaFleur said of the Packers having interest in a free agent quarterback (via Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette). “It’s crazy to me how people come up with some of these things. I think you explore every possibility, but at no point in time did we ever have any discussions with anybody.”
A report from Sunday stated the Packers reached out to Ryan Tannehill, the most experienced quarterback currently on the market. It was unclear at the time if Green Bay represented a destination Tannehill was interested in as he weighs his options, but LaFleur’s comments confirm no contract talks took place anyway. With Love set to only miss a brief period, the team will rely on Willis and Sean Clifford under center.
Green Bay had Clifford and seventh-round rookie Michael Pratt in place during the summer as they competed for the backup gig. Neither passer impressed, and they were both waived during roster cutdowns. Clifford cleared waivers and was retained on the practice squad whereas Pratt departed and joined the Buccaneers’ taxi squad.
Willis was acquired via trade shortly before the roster cut deadline, giving him a short window of time to learn the Packers’ offense. The former Titans draftee did not anticipate being dealt despite the fact free agent signing Mason Rudolph outperformed him during training camp and the preseason. Willis, 25, made three starts as a rookie but he made only three appearances last season as Tennessee transitioned from Tannehill to Will Levis. The Packers will offer him a new opportunity on a short-term basis until Love is back to full health.
I’d have no issue with signing Tannehill–especially if they are looking at 6 weeks.
What a crap way to start the season.
Highly doubt he’s gone that long.
Pure guess he’s back by week 5 vs rams and possibly long shot week 4 vs minn.
That’s Indy and tenn with the backup and neither of those teams are anything special and winnable with Willis.
Have you ever seen Willis attempt to throw a football?
i’ve seen him shotput a couple, would struggle to call it throwing.
This comment aged well…..enjoy your crow
Minnesota smoked the Giants, Indy nearly beat the Texans, and Tennesse had a great first half last week. My bet is all three would look good, if not great, against a Willis-led Packers team (and I’m normally a GB fan)
There’s no winnable game with Willis.
When they start out 0-4 they’re going to wish they signed Tannehill
Maybe Tannehill doesn’t want to sign to be a temporary starter.
This is exactly it. Tannehill doesn’t want to get off his couch for a few games – and Green Bay doesn’t want to cough up $8-12 mil for a few games either.
This could get ugly really fast.
Colts up next and Anthony Richardson only averaged 11.2 yards per attempt in the season opener.
The next four games could be tough with Willis leading the team. He was mediocre (at best) with the Titans and has had no time to gel with the team.
Ugh. I hate to see any player get injured.
Malik Willis is a nice #3 side project but it was stupid to rely on him to be the #2. Gutekunst has been a good GM, but this move was an unforced error. And now the Packers will pay for it will lost games.
Should’ve traded for Heinecke – at least the games would still be entertaining!
The Packers screwed the pooch by not getting a qualified backup in camp. It is okay to draft and evaluate/try to develop some raw QB talent, but you should never count on it to win real NFL games.
The league has very, very few “qualified backups”. They barely have enough qualified starters. Actually….they are woefully short of starters.
I do believe that The Raiders have a top 5 “qualified backup” QB with Gardner Minshew. A solid 5-12, which is also a solid insult to a potential top 5 “qualified defense”. For Instance: a couple of 1st downs would be great to give the “D” a rest.
Just saying……
Agree. Daniel Jones would be a #3 on most teams (or get pushed to the practice squad)
Green Bay does this every year – the only “qualified backups” they’ve ever picked up were already backups with Green Bay that failed elsewhere – see Doug Pederson, Matt Flynn. Everyone else has been a project. This is nothing new to them. It’s their M O
We haven’t had a qualified back up since Matt Flynn.
If the defense doesn’t improve, Tom Brady couldn’t help them. I don’t see why everyone is so enamored with Tannehill all the sudden. This is actually a good situation to learn if Willis has a future even as a backup.
He will be back within two weeks.
and probably compromise his whole season. Those nagging injuries with QBs derail playoff runs for many teams. Baker Mayfield might still be in Cleveland if he hadn’t played hurt that last season
That’s a huge mistake.
The problem with Tannehill, is if he wins games he’ll be hard to take out. Love didn’t look very good vs PHI.
Yes they spent 200M+, but they would put him on the bench. You actually believe that? Hard to take out.. ok.. sure.
Nobody played in the preseason and the field was trash (affected both teams). GB has for many years accepted that game 1 will likely be a loss in return for minimal injuries in the preseason.
Says the HC who needed a TD and two point conversion in the NFC championship game inside the five yard line but decided to kick a FG.
Brett Favre !!!
All the Packers have to do is go 1-1 the next two weeks. By the way they’re talking, I’d expect Love back by Minnesota. Neither Indy or Tennessee are juggernauts.
Against Willis, Indy and Tennessee will look like juggernauts. Both those teams lost by a score or less in week one against what looks like top QBs
Caleb looked like crap. That was the most Bears style win ever.
And Richardson looked like Superman one drive then a complete disaster the next. All it takes in the nfl is a couple turnovers and anyone can beat anyone else.
The Packers have a strong supporting cast. Don’t count them out with a toolsy backup and MLF calling plays.
Tannehill has already came out saying he wants the perfect situation where he is the full time starter. The fact that Love will be back in about a month crosses RT off the list. The Pack need to go .500 over these next 4-6 games or the Lions may run away with the North
I thought the packers would win the north. But with love out for two games it will be very hard indeed. The lions, at full health, are good.
Trade for Joe Flacco
In today’s NFL…………….
“All you Need Is LOVE”
No Longer Applies………..