The game of musical chairs behind Aaron Rodgers continues for the Green Bay Packers.
After the Packers released Vince Young over the weekend, B.J. Coleman became the default backup to Rodgers. The Packers did sign another quarterback in former Wisconsin Badger Scott Tolzien but he has since been placed on the practice squad.
Now Green Bay has reportedly cut Coleman, according to Wes Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press- Gazette. Fans have been clamoring for former backup Matt Flynn to return to Green Bay, but reports are coming in from Ed Werder of ESPN that Seneca Wallace will be the new backup to Aaron Rodgers. Wallace, like the also recently signed Scott Tolzien, was released by the San Francisco 49ers.
With now two former 49ers quarterbacks on the team, it’s clear GM Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy are going all-in for an opening day win against the 49ers. Wallace, however, might have additional incentive for wanting beat the 49ers after he ripped coach Jim Harbaugh for telling reporters Wallace had retired from the NFL when he really had not. According to Wallace, he had simply asked for and was granted his release after the quarterback realized he was only brought in to force backup Colt McCoy to take a paycut.
So the backup quarterback derby for the Packers continues. Green Bay had better hope Rodgers stays healthy or this game of quarterback roulette could really come back to haunt them. It will be interesting to see if Wallace and Tolzien remain with Green Bay after Week 1 or if this is just an intelligence gathering effort on the part of the Packers.
Wallace faces an incredibly tight window to learn the Packers’ playbook. He is a bigger quarterback who is mobile and has played in many NFL games and holds a 6-15 record as a starter according to Pro Football Reference. It’s not a great record, but it’s better than Coleman or Harrell and Wallace already has some familiarity with the West Coast Offense.
This is also a highly unusual move for Thompson. Is he scrambling? Does he now regret the release of Young?
Time will tell, but both he and McCarthy better pray hard Rodgers stays healthy or this could get really ugly.
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Kris Burke is a sports writer covering the Green Bay Packers for AllGreenBayPackers.com and WTMJ in Milwaukee. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) and his work has been linked to by sites such as National Football Post and CBSSports.com. Follow @KrisLBurke
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“Rodgers stays healthy or this game of quarterback roulette could really come back to haunt them.”
More so than starting Harrell or Coleman for a game? Probably not.
Thompson does not regret the release of Young. Young had limited grasp of the offense (reportedly – and I could see it from Mr. Wonderlic), and looked terrible ‘free lancing’. Additionally, if he regretted it, he could re-sign him.
Only part of this that leaves me wondering is if 3 of the 4 guys you brought to camp (2 of them for multiple camps) wind up being released, where’s the insight as to upside potential as opposed to just being hazardously optimistic and hopeful?
Too many years of MM standard patois to not start wondering.
I like this move by Ted. Wallace has 31 tds and 17 int., 81.3 passer rating. Better than anyone else we had backing up Rodgers. I don’t think we would be happy with any backup that’s available right now, but this is a better option than what we had.
TT said he was to blame for not giving VY enough time. And now he does this? Something doesn’t pass the smell test.
My guess is that if he hadn’t fumbled twice in the KC game, Young would still be with the team.
ball management is too critical. Two fumbles for a QB or RB is not tolerated by MM. You are right about KC game, VY blew his chance by too much free lancing and losing the ball.
Ted Thompson’s statements were just about Ted being a decent human being and trying to take some pressure off of a struggling QB with some serious personality/performance issues, I think.
VY is, you know, kinda delicate.
The Packers are in better shape today than yesterday. Maybe not a lot, but better.
I agree. Wallace has been a competent backup, which is more than you can say for Coleman or Harrell or most of the other leftover QBs.
Young might have been OK eventually, but that KC game left a lot of doubts. It wasn’t too hard to imagine him playing like that in a regular season game.
Interesting move. Since the PS wasn’t filled out completely, does Coleman go through a second season on the PS? I think two PS QBs would be very unusual.
While not as physically gifted as Young, Wallace has some game experience and WCO experience. I like this signing.
On another thread, I mentioned three QBs I’d like to see the Packers take a look at. Seneca Wallace wasn’t one of them because to the “retirement” comment attributed to the 49ers.
I knew this was coming(that Coleman would be replaced). Wonder if they were holding the three PS spots for Coleman and two others who are currently on the 53.
As we get closer to opening day most other teams become more reluctant to shake up their rosters and maybe GB slips Boyd to the PS. They were probably worried he wouldn’t make it if they cut him right away. They have too many D-lineman right now.
I think the Pack left three PS openings so they could do these types of maneuverings. Look for a couple of the other current 53 to end on the PS.
I think you hit it. I, too, was thinking Boyd to PS later after the day of waivers/signings. Thompson knows his craft.
I think you are on to something. I too like this move. Besides what happens to SF now if their QB is hurt? They can’t go back on the street and get Seneca if he is backup to Rodgers.
even if they get Boyd on the PS, he can still be signed off it by any team that wants to put him on their 53 game day roster.
I love the move of signing Wallace. He’s an experienced starting QB that can run to avoid the rush…something he will need with our O-line. TT’s next move should be picking up Fernando Velasco Center from the Titans who was just cut. He started all 16 games last year and was tendered with a 2nd rounder last year in free agency. Also he can play both guard and center. He’d make a great back-up for the middle of our line. Then we move Taylor to the PS.
I was just telling a friend the same thing. Ted’s not finished yet. I will withhold judgement until then.
Love the difference jolly has made. They are deep at d-line, especially the big body guys. Plus maybe will get worthy back at mid-year. Can see a trade for someone else’s surplus OL or RB.
Plus Jolly’s contagious attitude.
Seeing Johnny in there make me jolly…
I’d like to see them keep Boyd. Several of the other guys are free agents next year. I wouldn’t want to risk exposing him on the practice squad if he’s as promising as they say.
Seneca is like Tavaris Jackson. Mediocre arm for short passes and has some mobility. Also over the hill. I see this as a move to really pick his brain since he’s been floating all over in the NFC including SF, NO and Seattle. GB really wants to beat SF badly.
I don’t care what people say, Wallace brings more piece of mind as a back-up than Coleman and Young combined. O.K., Young won games as a rookie but has steadily declined. Wallace at least understands how to run plays and even brings mobility and some accuracy.(more than Young showed anyway.)He’s been employed in the league longer than Young which should tell you something.
Also the Boyd situation? JSonline clearly stated Boyd IS on the active roster because TT was sure he would be claimed off the practice squad if put there. Who doesn’t need a young, strong, 6’3″ 310 lb. D-lineman? Too early to give up on considering we have 3 or more of our own in the final year of their contracts.
The Pack needs to keep all of their D-lineman. Injuries will occur and by rotating them they should be fresh all game. Last year they got worn down and were not able to get off the field. An improved defense will help out the offense.
Really surprised by the QB moves this off season… I wonder if TT and the coaching staff think they actually have a special year in the making and decided that they absolutely need to have an experienced QB in the wings to make it through the worst case scenario for a few games.
In the past, they have always been fine with keeping a work-in-progress, young QB to back up Rodgers.
Didn’t see this coming at all, either.
I like to see a trade – maybe Wilson, bring back Miller as insurance, and get a little more depth at guard/center. Assuming Miller is still available. I thought he was alright.
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