Brett Hundley certainly appeared to have a leg up on DeShone Kizer in the race for the backup quarterback job. Now Hundley is gone and Kizer is the clear No. 2.
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst sent Hundley to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2019 sixth-round pick. It’s a bit of a net loss for the Packers in that they supposedly could have received better compensation for him during the 2017 draft. Hundley was a fifth-round pick and it was thought the Packers could have moved him for third at the time.
Hudley’s play during the 2017 season certainly sapped his value. However, he looked markedly improved during the preseason this year. He was making better throws and looked more comfortable in the pocket.
Coach Mike McCarthy even praised Hundley, while also noting that Kizer had a long ways to go. Apparently, Gutekunst didn’t necessarily agree. He spoke highly of Kizer earlier this week.
“He’s everything we saw coming out of college and last year studying him with the Browns,” Gutekunst said. “He’s obviously got size, he’s got arm talent, exceptionally bright. Still very early in his career. Obviously, Mike’s offense is new for him, so there’s a bunch of challenges. There’s always a bunch of challenges for young quarterbacks in this system. But Mike’s staff has done such a good job through the years with the quarterbacks and just their ability to get better. He’s on that trend, and we’re excited about him.”
It’s commendable that Gutekunst was able to get anything for Hundley after last season. Meanwhile, the Packers will hang onto the guy they traded former first-round pick Damarious Randall for earlier this offseason.
This also most likely opens up another roster spot at another position. That is, unless the Packers keep both Kizer and undrafted rookie Tim Boyle on the final roster. Boyle has played well during the preseason. That said, he’s still a long shot. The Packers typically go with just two quarterbacks.
We’ll have to see if Gutekunst can surprise us and pull off anymore trades this preseason. This is his second one in a week.