The legacy of Sean Clifford is one of the best feel-good stories in recent Penn State football history. With numerous ups and downs during his six years in Happy Valley, Clifford got the final word by leading the Nittany Lions to a Rose Bowl victory in 2022. The former Penn State QB proved his doubters wrong again this spring when he was selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. But the saga of Sean Clifford now has a chance to take yet another turn. Amind a difficult start for the Packers this season, there are intensifying calls for Clifford to replace Jordan Love as the team’s starting QB.
Rocky start creates potential opportunity for former Penn State QB
Green Bay is only averaging 20 points per game with former first-round NFL Draft pick Jordan Love at QB. Love has struggled in his first season as a starter, carrying a 58% completion rate and an 11-8 touchdown to interception ratio.
However, the issues in Green Bay have created a potential opening for Sean Clifford. Selected 149th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, the former Penn State QB has yet to throw a pass in a regular season NFL game. But Clifford had a solid first NFL preseason, going 41-57 for 391 yards and a touchdown over three games.
Despite not seeing the field this year, the four-year starter for the Nittany Lions impressed the Packers coaching staff with his intelligence. All this makes Clifford a valued addition to Green Bay in his first season on the roster.
Former NFL QB Chris Simms calls for Green Bay Packers to play Sean Clifford over Jordan Love
As the Packers’ woes continue, there are growing calls for Green Bay to play Sean Clifford over the struggling Jordan Love. The most recent example comes after Green Bay’s 24-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings this weekend. Former NFL QB Chris Simms is now on record saying the Packers may need to make a change.
“The inconsistencies of the Packers offense, it’s even more than I thought it would be,” Simms said on NBC’s Pro Football Talk. “I wonder with them if they’re going to start talking or getting Sean Clifford ready to go, ‘Hey, you might need to come in here if we go through another first half like we did yesterday where Jordan Love and the offense are that inept.'”
Clifford would undoubtedly be walking into a difficult situation with the Packers, as Green Bay has one of the worst records in the NFL this season. But if there’s anyone who knows how to battle through adversity, it’s the man who did it throughout his Penn State football career.
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