Jordan Love enters the 2026 NFL season as the unquestioned leader of the Green Bay Packers, but the team’s quarterback position is widely viewed as weaker after the departure of Malik Willis and several other backup options. While the Packers remain confident in their starter, the lack of proven depth behind Love has become one of the biggest concerns surrounding the roster heading into training camp.
Love has continued to develop into one of the NFC’s most promising quarterbacks, showing improved efficiency and command of Matt LaFleur’s offense over the past two seasons. However, Green Bay has also experienced stretches in which injuries forced its backup quarterbacks into meaningful action. Those situations underscored the importance of having a reliable second option ready to take over when needed.
Willis proved to be far more than a typical reserve during his time in Green Bay. He delivered victories when called upon, protected the football and demonstrated the ability to keep the offense operating efficiently despite limited preparation. His production gave the Packers confidence that they could remain competitive if Love missed time, making his departure in free agency a significant loss for the quarterback room.
The current backup competition features experienced veteran Desmond Ridder and young quarterback Kyle McCord, but neither entered the offseason with the same résumé Willis built in Green Bay. Ridder has starting experience, while McCord remains an intriguing developmental prospect, yet both represent greater uncertainty than the player they are replacing. That difference has fueled concerns that the Packers no longer possess one of the league’s strongest backup quarterback situations.
NFL Analysis Reveals Reason Why Green Bay Packers’ QB Position Got Worse
Green Bay’s quarterback position reportedly regressed with the departure of Willis. This is detailed more in an analysis by Rob Demovsky for ESPN.
When Willis signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Dolphins, the Packers lost one of the best backups in the league. Taylor, 36, gives Love a veteran backup for the first time, but Taylor has won just three of nine starts the last four seasons combined.
Better, worse or the same? Worse
The issue becomes even more significant because quarterback depth has become increasingly valuable across the NFL. Teams regularly rely on backup passers for multiple games during a season, and Green Bay has firsthand experience with that reality after Love missed time in consecutive years. Without a proven replacement behind him, the Packers could face greater challenges if injuries again force changes under center.
None of this diminishes the confidence the Packers have in Love as their franchise quarterback. Instead, it highlights how difficult it is to replace a dependable backup who consistently performed when opportunities arose, leaving Green Bay with a quarterback room that still features a talented starter but enters 2026 with more questions than it did a year ago.
