It appears the Green Bay Packers will at least consider the option — keeping three quarterbacks on their active roster.
By all accounts, the coaching staff is pleased with both Matt Flynn and Scott Tolzien. Their battle to carry Aaron Rodgers’ golf clubs is even with two preseason games to go, according to quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt.
Scooter has produced more yards and looked more impressive throwing the ball (when someone doesn’t have to peel Derek Sherrod’s guy off his broken carcas). Flynn has wowed absolutely no one, but he has produced more points (18 to 6).
And he’s Matt Flynn: winner of ballgames (but only with the Packers).
The two quarterbacks have alternated reps with the No. 2 offense week by week for the past few weeks. That means Flynn should be the No. 2 QB on Friday, when the Packers face the Raiders.
And, if the pattern holds true, Scoots would start the preseason finale against the Chiefs.
If things keep going the way they have been, the Packers have a tough decision. Proven commodity vs. higher upside. Or, waste a roster spot on a third quarterback.
That’s not unheard of. A lot of teams keep three quarterbacks. The Packers used to keep three quarterbacks. They just haven’t traditionally kept three quarterbacks under Mike McCarthy.
So why would they consider it this year?
Well, because of last year for one. I mean, obviously no one ever wants to see either of these guys on the field for the Green Bay Packers, with the exception of Matt Flynn, Scooter Tolzien and Scooter Tolzien’s mom.
However, we all learned what happens when you don’t have a good backup plan for an Aaron Rodgers’ injury. You end up looking like the Cleveland Browns and starting four quarterbacks in one season.
So why not be a little extra careful instead of keeping, say, 18 tight ends?
Another reason the Packers might keep three quarterbacks is because they think both Flynn and Tolzien have value. You don’t want Matt Flynn showing up with Detroit and torching the Packers late in the season after Matthew Stafford develops elephantiasis.
Our bet is three quarterbacks won’t happen. There’s too much talent at other positions and those are special teams guys.
Matt Flynn isn’t going to make a very good gunner on punt coverage.