Back-Up QB Boyles Down to Tough Decision
As Tim Boyle gets better, Pack ponders what to do with him.
By KenLass
If Aaron Rodgers is the Packers’ quarterback of the present, and Jordan Love is the quarterback of the future, where exactly does that leave Tim Boyle?
The answer is, right where he’s always been, basically a forgotten man stuck in the middle. At their post season news conferences, General Manager Brian Gutekunst and Head Coach Matt LaFleur were asked multiple questions about Rodgers, and multiple questions concerning Love. There was not a single inquiry, nor mention, about Boyle.
No one understands better than him that, in the Packers’ grand, master strategy, there is no plan where he becomes the starting quarterback. The heir apparent has been selected. And it’s not him.
Which could become a bit awkward because, as of the most recent evaluation, Boyle is a better quarterback than Love. That evaluation took place in summer camp last August. Virtually all camp observers agreed that Boyle outplayed the first round pick and earned the right to be the back-up signal caller. It was not unexpected. After all, Boyle was entering his third year with the team, his second in the LaFleur system. Love was a completely raw rookie starting from scratch. It only made sense that if, heaven forbid, Rodgers were to go down, you would want the more experienced hand in at the team’s most important position.
So Boyle was the number two guy in 2020. As it turned out, the team didn’t need him. Rodgers made it through all 18 games and played brilliantly. Boyle came in for nothing more than kneel down duty. And Love? He spent the season inactive for all games, a total redshirt year, getting only a handful of snaps in practice and a little extra work afterward.
That was fine for last year. But everybody in Green Bay knows that if Jordan Love is truly going to be groomed to one day take over the reins, he has to play. You can’t keep him in storage indefinitely. Love says he is patient and willing to wait his turn. But neither he, nor the team can afford to wait three or four years to get him ready. He has to get more snaps in practice. He needs to be first out of the gate in preseason games (assuming there are any). The Packers need to see what they have. They can’t wait three or four seasons and then find out he’s a dud. You have to think the Packers desperately want Love to win the back-up job in the coming summer.
That’s not going to be easy. Boyle’s been through these battles before and won. In 2018 the Packers traded former first round draft pick Damarious Randall to Cleveland for quarterback DeShone Kizer. Green Bay had coveted Kizer since his college days at Notre Dame and brought him on board as the immediate back-up, with the possibility of grooming him to be Rodgers’ replacement one day. But Kizer played poorly in relief of an injured Rodgers in 2018, and in the 2019 preseason, Boyle outplayed him and won the back-up job.
Still, every signal caller wants to be a starter one day, and Boyle knows his shot is likely not coming in Green Bay. He needs to put enough good tape out there in the preseason to convince some other team to want him. What if he clearly outplays Love again? What would the Packers do?
You could bring him back again as the back-up and sit Love for another season. But every snap Boyle gets is one taken away from the guy you picked to one day lead your team.
You could promote Love and make Boyle number three. That might be a tough sell to the other players, if Boyle has actually proven he’s the better quarterback. You could cut him and hope to bring him back on the practice squad (I’m not even sure he’s eligible for PS). Remember how that worked out with Taysom Hill?
You could try to trade him, but because he has no real track record in a meaningful regular season game, it’s hard to see another team giving up much more than a seventh round pick for him, if that. Boyle’s only non-kneel down time came late in a hopelessly lost game at San Francisco in 2019, where he completed 3 of 4 passes for 15 yards. He’s likely more valuable to the Packers, who have invested three years in him, than he is to other teams.
For his part, Boyle is taking the exactly correct approach to his situation. Before the season began he told the media “That’s completely out of my control......I’m going to keep doing me, and doing what they ask me to do, and at the end of the day I have to get myself ready to be the best quarterback possible. Whether I’m two, or three, or P-squad, or whatever they have me doing, I just want to help the team. Upper management can handle the situation. I’m just going to handle my reps and be there for Aaron, and be there for Jordan and continue to be a good, positive, shining light on this team.”
The brighter his light shines, the more interesting the Packers’ decision becomes.
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (65)
Pack88
February 15, 2021 at 06:24 am
This is an article that restates the obvious- 1st round rookie w/o training camp sits entire season - the real queestion will be what does Love look like ethis year. Remeber 12 was unimpressive in yer a one with a trainig camp. The 1st one for a QB with an established vet ahead of him is where mechanical flaws and the nuances of the system they use are pefected. Should there be a "normal" training camp this year and Boyle and Love light it up Biyle will get a diffferent jersey simple as that- if Love sucks then there will be problems!
Thegreatreynoldo
February 15, 2021 at 05:27 pm
But GB doesn't get to wait until July to decide on Boyle. They have to decide in March.
True, if Boyle can't command sufficient interest and the Packers don't have to give him any guaranteed money (RFA tenders are not guaranteed), then there can be a Training Camp battle.
At the very least the Packers will have to commit cap space to Boyle, perhaps $1M plus to $2M or $3M.
HankScorpio
February 15, 2021 at 08:59 pm
I don't want to get overly dramatic over how they spend $2-$3 mil but I just think this situation is not a typical spend of that amount. I don't think it is a good look for him to be signed.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 16, 2021 at 01:08 am
IDK. I suspect that many teams spend $1.3M (the amount I assigned to Boyle in my cap article) to $2M for their backup QB. Many spend a lot more ($5M - $7M), though those teams might have brittle or poor starting QBs.
NickPerry
February 15, 2021 at 06:34 am
I'll admit, I don't know much about Boyle. BUT what I do know is if Love doesn't outplay Boyle in July and August and EARN the #2 spot, I'm going to have serious questions about this dude no matter how little experience he got this past season.
I'm sure Love is going to do everything he can this offseason to be and earn the #2 QB spot on the Packers. Hopefully he does that and isn't just given the #2 job because of where he was drafted. No offense to Boyle, but Love HAS to start to show something very positive this summer.
Like Kevin Green told Clay Matthews in SB 45..."It is TIME".
RCPackerFan
February 15, 2021 at 07:55 am
Honestly. I won't have serious questions but will have some questions. The first question is how good is Boyle. How do we know he isn't a really good QB? We haven't seen him play much. We know he has a rocket arm, but that is all that we really know about him.
Also lets not forget that it took Rodgers until his 3rd year to really start showing what he could do. So lets not be in a huge rush to determine anything about Love just yet.
We do want to see signs of improvement. If he can be our 2, that is really good. But it doesn't necessarily mean anything if he isn't.
Bure9620
February 15, 2021 at 08:45 am
Yes, Rodgers looked atrocious as a rookie even WITH a preseason. Frankly, Craig Nall outplayed Rodgers that preseason, which was also expected. Tim Boyle is Craig Nall 2.0
RCPackerFan
February 15, 2021 at 10:09 am
Yeah I can see the Craig Nall 2.0 comparison.
But I don't want to limit him either. He could be a lot better. We really don't know because we haven't seen him play.
dobber
February 15, 2021 at 11:16 am
...and all of Packer nation sleeps better because of it.
Coldworld
February 15, 2021 at 08:17 am
Rodgers looked to many like he sucked and was made of glass going into his second year. Love was drafted to work on. Why is it imperative that his curve is more sudden if it doesn’t have to be?
Bure9620
February 15, 2021 at 08:54 am
Because of QBs playing sooner the media salivating and waiting to show "see how dumb the Packers are for drafting a QB."
Stroh
February 15, 2021 at 10:02 pm
The media made the same argument when Rodgers was drafted!! Seemed yo work out extremely well for the Packers. Who gives a rats azz about the media.
Guam
February 15, 2021 at 08:58 am
I don't think it is imperative Love outplay Boyle, but I would prefer to see the Packers not have to carry three QBs on the roster again this year. That third spot could be used for a special teamer that might actually play and help the Pack.
dobber
February 15, 2021 at 09:17 am
"I would prefer to see the Packers not have to carry three QBs on the roster again this year. "
I don't anticipate they will unless there's a camp injury to Love or ARod that puts them on the shelf for a couple weeks.
They'll draft a third day QB to shuffle away on the PS and they'll showcase the heck out of Boyle. Give him plenty of opportunities in the second half of meaningless games where he can exploit his experience against UDFAs and late-round picks. In that case, yes, he might LOOK better than Love but it will be mostly smoke and mirrors, but it might also net a conditional late round pick in return rather than just turning him loose.
Guam
February 15, 2021 at 10:52 am
To quote since '61 - "Cookie for Dobber!"
It would be delighted both to see Boyle traded for a pick and have him go to a team that values him.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 15, 2021 at 05:36 pm
I think the Packers will keep three QBs on the 53-man roster.
Bad as brett Hundley was, he won 3 games as a starter. Gute said Love made "limited" progress. Sounds to me like GB would lose every game Love has to start in 2021.
dobber
February 15, 2021 at 09:14 am
Because the bad taste left by Brett Hundley and Deshone Kizer will attach itself to Love if he doesn't come out with some flash in camp.
Coldworld
February 15, 2021 at 09:51 am
Team doesn’t care about that. Again, recall what fans thought of Rodgers after his second camp.
dobber
February 15, 2021 at 11:20 am
I agree, and they shouldn't care too much about it...but public perception from the player's position means something. If he's not #2, or looks pedestrian in becoming #2, all he's going to hear is rumors that he's a bust or too much of a project to return on the investment. You can only be asked so often why your play was subpar before it starts to wear on your psyche.
RCPackerFan
February 15, 2021 at 11:09 am
Lets not forget that Rodgers looked bad for a few years. Bad enough that the Packers drafted Brian Brohm in the 2nd round of the 2008 draft. If they knew Rodgers was going to be the Rodgers we now know, would they have drafted Brohm in the 2nd round? No. They still weren't completely sure about Rodgers 3 years after he was drafted.
The point being lets give Love time.
dobber
February 15, 2021 at 11:18 am
Remember, also, that coming out of Cal, the scuttlebutt was that ARod needed to have his Tedford-designed throwing motion retooled, too. We don't think too much of that, but it's like asking a baseball player to make significant changes to his batting stance. It's not automatic until you've done it enough to be automatic.
flackcatcher
February 15, 2021 at 03:52 pm
Brian Brohm in the 2nd and Matt Flynn in the seventh round. Brohm turned out to have no feel for the pro game and Matt Flynn had a nice pro career as a starter and mostly back up QB. (Saved the 2013 season, and both TT and MM hides)
HankScorpio
February 15, 2021 at 08:48 pm
"If they knew Rodgers was going to be the Rodgers we now know, would they have drafted Brohm in the 2nd round? No. They still weren't completely sure about Rodgers 3 years after he was drafted."
Here is the one sentence you need to know fo figure out how they felt about Rodgers as he headed into his first year as starter: They told a HOF QB that was beloved by the fan base that he could go screw himself when he begged them to come back the summer after helping the team to a NFC CG while posting MVP caliber numbers.
What they did to back up Rodgers is nothing compared to that.
fastmoving
February 15, 2021 at 02:36 pm
thats the point...ITs not time!!! Not at all:
AR plays outstanding and Love has more time than most young QBs. We are in no hurry at all. That is the beauty of that draft pick. Actually its the opposite to the Kevin Green words.
CheesyTex
February 15, 2021 at 04:12 pm
Words of wisdom.
Love the irony between your "fastmoving" handle and message of patience.
blacke00
February 15, 2021 at 07:51 am
Any QB drafted (in any round) would have ended in the same spot as Love inactive and essentially red shirted. As I've said here before, we know very little of last years draft class. Love is a victim of all this as well. The Pack really doesn't know what they have in Love. As this article stated he received few reps and no preseason games, so how does anyone expect him to show what he has??? Criticism of Love is so premature it's ridiculous. As Pack88 indicated Rodgers was "stinker" in his first camp as well and he certainly didn't tear up the preseason that year! Remember the criticism of Rodgers throwing motion? I thought not.
All that being said I do feel a little sorry for Boyle, he's just not getting a fair shake. I certainly hope there will be preseason games this year so both he and Love and show something. And for once let them play with the number 1s so you really have some what of an idea of what you have in a future QB.
Coldworld
February 15, 2021 at 08:18 am
Boyle also needed preseason to showcase last year. If the Pack think he is has talent, resign him and be open to trade and injury depth. Cap doesn’t apply at this point. If we can get a pre season this year we will start to see Love and will see little of Rodgers. I’d be happy having Love and Boyle shoulder the load. Any new QB us probably a UDFA heading for the PS. From Boyle’s perspective, he gets to showcase in a system he knows. The roster decision can wait.
dobber
February 15, 2021 at 09:41 am
"All that being said I do feel a little sorry for Boyle, he's just not getting a fair shake."
I don't think so. I think he has a great opportunity given his college track record and the fact that he's been stuck behind a HOF QB. He's the kind of QB -- especially as an UDFA -- that teams with a less certain QB situation churn through on a yearly basis and cast off to get stuck in roster limbo. He's getting a better chance than the vast majority of QBs who profile like him. It's all a matter of what he does with it.
Duneslick
February 15, 2021 at 12:28 pm
So if the packers drafted Joe Burrow he would be red shirted and would have not beaten out Boyle for the number 2 job.
Bure9620
February 15, 2021 at 08:50 am
This is pretty simple, Love is QB2. Boyle will not be a Packer in '21. Let's not forget, Boyle has no reps either...I am sure Boyle showed command of the offense well last camp but he is getting WAY overhyped in my opinion....Boyle is not an NFL starter. Journeyman backup is his ceiling. There is no room for Tim Boyle. I assume the Packers try to highlight him in preseason to hopefully get a draft pick for Boyle. Jordan Love is a first round pick. He will not be QB3 and not active this season, and only was last year due to an extremely truncated preseason with no rookie camp.
Leatherhead
February 15, 2021 at 08:44 am
It is that simple, Bure. Love is the #2, unless the Packer personnel department and front office have made a massive mistake. I don’t think they have.
dobber
February 15, 2021 at 09:41 am
Even if they did make a mistake and Love isn't a long-term starter, it's likely that Love is a better long-term backup than Boyle.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 15, 2021 at 05:43 pm
No indication that Love can play. Boyle gets a serious monetary offer from GB. I'd guess he returns and wins the #2 QB.
Maybe the FO lied when they said GB can win games with Boyle playing QB. It is clear that the FO doesn't think GB can win with Love absent a leap, and they won't know if he has taken a leap until July.
It is a huge gamble dumping Boyle and anointing Love.
Bure9620
February 16, 2021 at 08:57 am
Is there an indication Boyle can play? Yes he has been in the offense a few years now but we have not seen any real reps.....
mrtundra
February 15, 2021 at 08:57 am
I'm guessing Boyle will be dealt to another team, after training camp, if he performs like he did last training camp. GB may get an extra draft pick or another position player for him. I really like Boyle and am glad to have him as Rodgers's back up. I just don't want him to get on the field, as that most likely means that Rodgers has been injured. Still, Boyle is more than just a competent back up. He's much better than Kizer or The Gum Chewer. I wish him the best. BTW, Love will need a back up QB, won't he? Not every play Love is involved with will help the team, right? He will make mistakes and may need to be benched by MLF. Keeping Boyle would ensure the game goes on.
Bure9620
February 15, 2021 at 09:02 am
So why would Boyle NOT mistakes and get benched?? Why Love? What reps do we have to go on?
Swisch
February 15, 2021 at 09:34 am
I'm sad about five months until preseason, if we have a preseason -- so I'm even more of a crank.
Trade Aaron Rodgers to Washington for Alex Smith, a star defender, and top draft picks.
Trade. Z. Smith and a top draft pick to the Steelers for T. J. Watt. Then Sign J. J. Watt.
Either Boyle or Love will be a star quarterback in the NFL and would start next season. Smith is a veteran presence who could do a very good job if they need more time.
Any of these three quarterbacks would be more willing to run the MLF offense by taking whatever is open in the defense and moving the chains, instead of forcing things for heroic results that ultimately fall short of a championship.
Plus, we start to build a truly awesome defense for the first time since the Lombardi Era.
I'm not saying this is a good idea; or that it's not a terrible idea; but it is a sincere idea for discussion.
We may have two really good young quarterbacks, or at least one of them. We may have a superstar quarterback who is enigmatic and resistant and not reliable in big games to listen to the head coach. He's also getting on in years, but is highly tradeable as of now.
It's risky, perhaps crazy, but possibly visionary.
13TimeChamps
February 15, 2021 at 10:22 am
As I started to read your post, obviously I thought it was totally tongue-in-cheek. Then I realized you were serious. Yikes!!
Swisch
February 15, 2021 at 10:36 am
It's sincere and serious, but I realize that it may be kooky.
Then again, if you don't think the Packers are going to win a Super Bowl under Rodgers; and that during the next couple of years or more he's going to cause a lot of unwelcome drama on and off the field; and you're looking to shake things up in a daffy but daring way that has the potentially to be wildly successful . . . .
13TimeChamps
February 15, 2021 at 10:49 am
First off, with all due respect, both trades you brought up would make no sense for any of the clubs involved, for any number of reasons.
Secondly, what "unwelcomed drama on and off the field" are you referring to
And lastly..."Either Boyle or Love will be a star quarterback in the NFL and would start next season." And you're basing that on what evidence exactly?
Swisch
February 15, 2021 at 11:59 am
What I'm going for here is lively discussion, robust but respectful.
I don't sense that fans here at CHTV are super confident about the Packers winning the Super Bowl in the next two years. If that's an accurate prediction, maybe it's time to take bold steps in other directions.
The whole situation with drafting Love seems to be the Packers thought he was an elite talent worthy to be selected in the top five of an entire draft -- but available at a discount because of a lack of refinement at the position and an uneventful final season at Utah.
It also seems that at this point in time the Packers should have a good idea of the potential of Love and Boyle to be stars. I don't know, but they do. They gave up a lot for Love; will we get back a lot of Love? In today's NFL, maybe we need to pretty much know the answer by now.
They would also know if the reputation of Rodgers to be slyly stubborn is mostly true or not. Perhaps it's a reputation totally false, but it's time to address it right now while Rodgers could get a big return in a trade. A difficult Rodgers won't win in the biggest games.
Plus, the fans here are wondering how to improve our defense to the caliber of a Super Bowl champion when we're struggling with cap space. Again, can we do something out of the box to upgrade our defense right away?
So put on your GM-caps and weigh in. Come up with better trades, perhaps.
Especially if there are those who think the Packers are too cautious as an organization, what would you do to shake things up in a way that would be productive?
LeotisHarris
February 15, 2021 at 04:51 pm
Lots and lots of words, Swisch. I enjoyed the respectful give and take between you and 13, but at this point in the thread it's probably best if you check your house for a gas leak and call it a day.
Swisch
February 15, 2021 at 06:46 pm
I do tend to get loopy and loony even without gas leaks or other circumstances to blame.
I also tend to get carried away.
However, I am truly concerned about the subject of Aaron Rodgers and his cooperativeness as being the most import of issues for the Packers to resolve one way or another.
If Rodgers is all in, the Packers can do great things in the next couple of seasons or so. If he is resistant , then we're doomed to disappointments such as the loss in the playoffs to the Bucs.
How many fans are wishing, at least in retrospect, that on the last drive we handed the ball off to Dillon at least one more time as we neared the goal line?
I don't know what happened on the sideline and in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage, but it seems crucial for at least Gute and MLF to sort it all out with Rodgers.
What will happen next time?
NickPerry
February 16, 2021 at 06:03 am
"How many fans are wishing, at least in retrospect, that on the last drive we handed the ball off to Dillon at least one more time as we neared the goal line?"
OH HELL YES!!!
The drive the Packers kicked the FG in the 2nd quarter and the final drive Rodgers was 0-6. Not one attempt to run the ball, not even one! Was it all on Rodgers? MLF? Who cares! The Packers ran the ball the past 2 seasons in goal to goal situations all the time and that thought process was totally ignored.
Yes Vita Vea was back. Yes the Bucs were hard to run against all year. BUT the Packers O-Line has been excellent down there for 2 years under MLF... Hindsight or not, IMO it was a huge mistake.
jlc1
February 15, 2021 at 03:36 pm
"If you don't think the Packers will win a SB" is a weak assumption. Just a few weeks ago they were one lousy defensive call and/or one dropped interception and/or a pair of bad ref calls on PI from making it to the SB. So the premise just doesn't work I think.
As for ARod's drama on field - it is the drama we fans live for. He wins games. Off field to my way of thinking it is all gas, talking heads and writers need to generate headlines, that's it.
Packerpasty
February 15, 2021 at 12:11 pm
hahaha good one...Steelers wouldn't get rid of Watt, and you mean "Neither" Boyle or Love, possibly a bad vision. But, something to talk about in this boring winter...
Swisch
February 15, 2021 at 01:05 pm
If it's neither Boyle or Love, then we better move on from at least one of them.
If we keep Rodgers, then wouldn't it be good to have a veteran backup like Zeke Bratkowski for Bart Starr, or like Alex Smith today?
If it is the case that our head coach has to verbally tiptoe around Aaron Rodgers much of the time lest he be offended and go off into a funk, maybe we replace him with Derek Carr or Zak Prescott or Josh Rosen or Sam Darnold.
By the way, is it true that Rodgers is angling for an even better deal, rather than maybe sacrificing a little of his huge contract for the good of the team signing other players?
Maybe I'm way off on everything, but I would say don't be fickle fans who are afraid to say something definitive like the current team is pretty much wonderful with our upcoming draft picks and perhaps a free-agent signing.
If we're 9-7 next season, don't say I told you so when you really didn't step up to say anything at all that was definitive.
Don't waffle, then say Packers management is doing a bad job.
Think it through and then make your claims about the Packers boldly, and what you would do about it with some specificity.
Then you can truly say you were right or wrong in a year -- on the record -- with the proper footnote of, "Boyle as backup article, CHTV, February 15, 2021."
Go for it.
13TimeChamps
February 15, 2021 at 02:39 pm
"If it is the case that our head coach has to verbally tiptoe around Aaron Rodgers much of the time lest he be offended and go off into a funk"
Where are you getting all this negative info about the relationship between him and LeFleur? Skip Bayless? Who like you, seem to hate Rodgers for some reason. He just had the best statistical year of his career because he bought into MLF's system. There hasn't been one shred of evidence to indicate there is tension between the two.
I understand this is a fan page where we can post our opinions. And you are certainly entitled to yours. But you don't have to make stuff up.
And btw, if they restructure Rodger's contract, It would actually help the team. He's not looking for more money. You do realize that he is the current MVP of the league, and there are at least 4 or 5 QBs who make more money than him, right?
Swisch
February 15, 2021 at 04:40 pm
I'm basically asking questions based mostly on comments from fans here at CHTV.
If Aaron Rodgers is a highly coachable player who doesn't unduly override the head coach as far as changing running plays into passing plays; and who doesn't force the ball too often to Davante Adams; and who doesn't overly try for the difficult spectacular play when there's an easy play that would move the chains -- then I'm very glad of it, and think the Packers can win the Super Bowl next season.
We need to expect a lot out of Rodgers in terms of character as well as talent because he takes up such a huge chunk of our salary cap. When it comes to signing the likes of Aaron Jones and Corey Linsley, or J. J. Watt and Patrick Peterson, that money could come in handy.
I think Rodgers is worth the money if he is highly coachable and a great teammate. If he's not really on board, then he'll continue to rack up the stats, and probably win lots of games in the regular season -- but fall short in the biggest of games.
I don't know. I'm asking because it's critical to the future of the Packers, the most important question regarding the team.
EricinGB
February 15, 2021 at 10:22 am
Boyle is an ascending player. He has improved considerably each year...just like Brady did...Boyle has an NFL starter's arm and is able to read defeanses faster than any previous back-up. HIS PLAY SUGGESTS WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT HIS CEILING IS. Rodgers likes Boyle. Boyles' downside is lack of mobility compared to Love, and mobility is a plus...but, like the backups Boyle outplayed each of the past 3 years, Love may never read NFL defenses as well or as fast as Boyle...to be fair to Love, that has yet to be determined...Prediction: if Packers do not restructure Rodgers' contract, Rodgers is probably in his last year...and let the competition between Boyle and Love contiue for QB1 in 2022... If Packers restructure Rodgers contract then let the competition between Boyle and Love for QB2 continue in 2021. The above article is making something out of nothing really. Packers should keep both Boyle and Love for the next 1-2 years regardless.
stockholder
February 15, 2021 at 10:55 am
Gute says he is going to draft another QB. Ok. But no matter how many he drafts. There is only 1 Rodgers.
flackcatcher
February 15, 2021 at 03:39 pm
Of course, he is. The Packers will always draft CB OT and QB. They are key positions in the league. There is never only 1.
Minniman
February 15, 2021 at 01:13 pm
Ken, with the projected Cap reduction this coming year, keeping multiple backup QB's doesn't make sense.
This coming year isn't one to have positions of luxury. I see the Packers only having 2 QB's.
Looking at the scenarios:
If Rodgers doesn't get hurt, then no harm-no foul.
If Rodgers gets hurt and Love comes in and holds his own, then at least the Packers know what they have to look forward to.
If Rodgers gets hurt and Love comes in and fails , then the Packers get a higher draft pick.
The circa $2M that the Packers would pay Boyle will be needed elsewhere for a starter.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 15, 2021 at 05:58 pm
What about:
AR gets hurt, Boyle wins a few games as AR's replacement, AR returns and GB wins a super bowl?
I suppose GB can roll the dice that AR doesn't get hurt at all, Love can win games in 2021, or AR plays enough to get the team into the playoffs at least.
Minniman
February 16, 2021 at 12:32 pm
Certainly a possibility TGR, and your comment aligns to that age old maxim that "you don't appreciate insurance until you need it".
My main point is that in what will be a cash-strapped year, Boyle's (albeit meager) salary will probably best go towards putting\keeping a starter on the field.
In an applied manner, as the no-consequences armchair GM :) , I'd put a Marcedes Lewis on the field - as opposed to Tim Boyle on the sidelines.
On consideration, the absence of a pre-season last year has not allowed us to see what Tim's capable of, so perhaps I'm guilty here of not appreciating his full potential. I just think that this year, with so many 2020 starters as FA's (and likely exiting), and the Packers 2021 schedule looking capital-T Tough, even Rodgers is going to have another near a MVP caliber year for the Packers to match the last 2 years. A lesser player, with the number of potential holes and development players as starters, in my humble opinion, will struggle and not prevail......... so best get a good glimpse of what GB have in Love.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 18, 2021 at 05:57 am
Gotcha. Probably fair. I can be cheap as hell at times. Not sure why I am fighting for Boyle so hard.
If GB needed Boyle's money for Lewis, or to get Jamaal, or any number of other players, yeah, see you later as I'd roll the die on AR's health.
TarynsEyes
February 15, 2021 at 01:47 pm
How many games were there that Boyle could have gotten snaps to help show his growth and ability to warrant keeping him or increasing his trade value?
Why in any or how many games that GB felt secure in winning with GB getting two more possessions was Boyle not showcased for either scenario mentioned in the former sentence?
Was it because Boyle would be inclined to lose those games via bad play, then the decision has been made moot.
Was it to aid the securing of a personal accolade for Rodgers, MVP?
Isn't it important to make and have the best security in the back-up to keep the season as on track as possible, though a drop-off is acknowledged and accepted, but impossible, if the HC and FO are afraid to see what he has by giving snaps that would do no damage to a games' outcome during the season?
Surely, there were multiple games where Boyle could have gotten much more than kneel downs. If he had, this discussion or issue wouldn't be one for the FO.
LeotisHarris
February 15, 2021 at 04:55 pm
I don't know, Taryn, how many?
And, don't call me Shirley!
flackcatcher
February 15, 2021 at 03:34 pm
The question is does Gutekunst restructure Rodgers contract or not. That's a question that may not be answered until the next season. When it is, then both Boyle's and Love's future will be clear, as will the future direction of this team on the field. (Not redoing Rodgers gives Gute the flex he needs long term, but at the price of not getting Cap savings he may need this season. Gute's fear is he cuts the deal tieing Rodgers to the team for say three years, and Rodgers play falls off the cliff and there is no out for the team. And Rodgers is dead money when the Packers are force to go for a major rebuild. Tough call for the Packer GM)
Thegreatreynoldo
February 15, 2021 at 06:01 pm
That decision gets made in the next 30 days. Do they convert $20M? $17M? $10M? Zero?
It will send a message to AR. It will be a clear signal. And it will come by March 17, 2021.
flackcatcher
February 16, 2021 at 02:26 am
30 days you say. 30 days... We may find out just how cold-blooded Gute really is.
The_Justicar
February 15, 2021 at 04:36 pm
Boyle is the Jeff Janis and Eric Kumerow of packer qbs. The next great nfl hall of famer who just wasn’t given an opportunity by the packers (and subsequently by the rest of the nfl teams because you know, they are just good enough to be journeymen at best)
Stroh
February 15, 2021 at 10:19 pm
He's a much better QB than Janis or Kumerow were WRs.
Stroh
February 15, 2021 at 08:58 pm
By drafting Love, the Packers made an investment. Rodgers sat for 3 yrs, so its certainly not out of the realm of possibility that Love sits for 3 yrs. In addition Rodgers was much more advanced than Love coming out. So sit tight Packers fans, Love will not be starting for at least 2 more yrs. Beyond that its up to Love.
He needs to work and progress similar to Rodgers. If he does and the Packers get a glimpse during regular season action, as Rodgers did vs Dallas and in preseason/training camp. There is a possibility he could take over sooner. But then it comes down to Rodgers not playing at an MVP level or at least Pro Bowl level thru his remaining contract. If Rodgers plays at that level it becomes unlikely they move to Love.
Boyle is a quality backup IMO. He could play at a high level in camp and preseason and help the Packers in doing so by making a trade a strong possibility. That's best case scenario. Getting some return on investment for Boyle and allowing Love to move into the backup job.
Love needs to be the backup this year, as it can make it possible for him to develop. That's not likely if he's the #3 QB. Boyle's best bet as a NFL backup probably isn't going to happen in GB. It may not be fair to him, but it's still in his best interests. Between now and the beginning of the season the Packers should do everything possible to move Boyle. Its what's best for him, Love and the Packers.
joejetson
February 16, 2021 at 07:37 am
The Pack had several comfortable leads this past season where it could have been a great opportunity to get Boyle some valuable playing time. But in every single such game, the defense fell apart in the third quarter and let the opponent back into the game. At this point, I don't care who the backup qb is, just fix this rotten defense.