Packers don’t see Brett Hundley as a ‘developmental QB’

Though drafting him in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers do not see Brett Hundley as a “developmental quarterback”

Generally when a team takes a quarterback in the fifth-round it’s because they see him as a “developmental quarterback.” After doing that Saturday on Day 3 of the 2015 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers wouldn’t use that term in reference to UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley.

Packers director of player personnel Elliott Wolf did say Saturday, “You guys asked me last time if each draft pick has a chance to start,” in reference to the Packers’ earlier picks in the draft. “This one probably doesn’t.”

It’s an honest assessment. Of course, barring a major injury at some point during the 2015 NFL season, there is no way Aaron Rodgers leaves the field, perhaps unless the Packers are involved in a blowout, one way or the other.

But that didn’t stop Wolf from spewing praise for the young quarterback from Westwood, who already graduated from one of the nation’s best academic schools, while answering the question about his development.

“I wouldn’t say he’s completely developmental. He played at a big-time program. Their offense is obviously different from ours, but you can see all the big-time throws that he can make.”

Question, meet answer. Head coach Mike McCarthy was equally complimentary of the 6’3″ raw passer, if not even more effusive in his praise. “I think he’ll be an excellent fit in our quarterback room. You can never have enough quarterbacks.”

McCarthy went beyond that in describing what he saw in Hundley’s game, “Athletic ability. When I look at players, the first things I look at are things you can’t teach…the reality of it is, it’s a game where it’s 11-on-11, things happen, and the ability to play beyond the designed play, the 2.3 seconds that everything’s designed to go a certain way, get into extended plays and things like that, Brett has a ton of that.”

In other words, the Packers are hoping they can develop Hundley to become the ideal and perfect backup to Aaron Rodgers so that, should Rodgers ever require a game or two on the sideline, they can insert Hundley into the lineup and not miss a beat.

The backup quarterback spot has been a bit of a sore spot for the Packers. Matt Flynn was adequate when Rodgers missed games in 2010 and 2011, and again in 2013. But missing was the element Rodgers brings to the table with his escapability–the thing McCarthy referenced above.

Hundley could be Rodgers 2.0, and as such it’s conceivable the Packers’ offense wouldn’t miss a beat should it need to move on to Hundley for a few contests. In other words, they do like him as more than just a “developmental quarterback”.

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