Packers QB Brett Hundley: "I Will Lead This Team"

It was one of the many firsts to come for Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Hundley as he prepares to make his first career start on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Having the media buzzing around the outside of his locker certainly wasn't something he was too accustomed to up to this point.

"Yeah, I'm used to you guys being right there," Hundley said after Wednesday's practice, gesturing towards the locker of the starting quarterback before him, Aaron Rodgers. "Now you guys are here."

Hundley isn't expected to fill the shoes Rodgers once wore in putting a franchise and an entire city on his shoulders. They both bring their own different and unique skill sets to the table.

With different talents and a different presence from each quarterback, there are, however, things Hundley picked up from Rodgers during his time as a backup.

Since being drafted to Green Bay as a 147th overall selection, Hundley has had the luxury of not only sitting behind Rodgers and picking up on his traits and passer lingo, he's also been able to work with quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt who has built a trusted rapport with Rodgers since assuming his position in 2014. "A-Rod's my boy, my brother, I love him to death," he said. "He's taught me everything I know."

Hundley met with coach Mike McCarthy late Tuesday night to help iron out details to a revised gameplan that can help tailor to Hundley's strengths. Whether it be incorporating a new read-option concept into the playbook or installing certain easily-graspable protection checks at the line of scrimmage, Hundley is the focal point of the Packers' offense and that's been made abundantly clear.

Sitting for over two seasons behind Rodgers and learning from someone who is widely considered to be the NFL's best quarterback is one of the biggest motivating factors for where Hundley is today. It's what the Packers have kept him around for.

"Just watching film from my first year, even coming out from college, I've seen such an improvement in my game and I'm really happy with where I'm at. There's a lot to grow, and I want to be one of the greatest to play this game but there's a lot of growth to do. It's been a blessing in disguise to be behind 12 for this long. I've been preparing every week for three years now, so I feel ready."

While Rodgers has been preparing to have surgery on his broken collarbone that'll likely keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season, he's also been helping Hundley study and prepare for the times ahead. Hundley is going to be put in every position to succeed, even behind a wounded offensive line that may very well be missing both starting offensive tackles against the Saints.

Hundley last saw field time against the Saints in the 2015 preseason finale, just three games into his young career. 

Against a Dennis Allen-coached defense, Hundley threw for four touchdowns and 236 yards en route to 38 unanswered points from the Packers. He finished that preseason with seven touchdowns and a lone interception. He'll also get a chance to replicate his performance this Sunday in front of the Lambeau Field crowd.

It's a stepping stone for Hundley, who showed off his improv ability that he admittedly learned from Rodgers on a 14-yard touchdown pass to Packers wide receiver Davante Adams against the Minnesota Vikings. It was the first career touchdown pass for Hundley, whose career stat line needs a little renovating in itself. 

To this point in his career, he's completed less than 50 percent of his passes with the aforementioned touchdown and four interceptions. A stat line that provides no reason to be confident in the former UCLA Bruin, but the coaching staff and supporting cast around him certainly does. 

"Our goals haven't changed, and they won't," Hundley said. "Everything is in front of us and we can still get to where we want to go to. Obviously, everybody loves 12, but our goals are the same.

"I've been doing this my whole life. Aaron's a Hall of Famer, and I want to be a Hall of Famer one day. I will lead this team, we're all going to have fun, we're all going to go out there and play football. It's still football at the end of the day and our goals are still in front of us."

__________________________

Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (32)

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Big Moe's picture

October 18, 2017 at 07:23 pm

Best of luck young man, Go Pack!

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TKWorldWide's picture

October 18, 2017 at 09:44 pm

Aforementioned!

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 19, 2017 at 12:25 am

Indeed, but he doesn't use it enough to make it into a drinking game.

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Turophile's picture

October 19, 2017 at 02:56 am

I wish Hundley well - but behind the line he has at the moment, it's going to be very difficult to look (and be) good.

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HankScorpio's picture

October 18, 2017 at 07:51 pm

The Packers are in so much better shape at backup QB than they were when Rodgers broke his collarbone the last time. As backup QBs go, Seneca Wallace was not a disaster but he was new to GB after final cut downs that year.

Hundley has been around for 3 years. From what little we've seen of Hundley, he seems to have decent improvisation skills and arm. He certainly has no problems knowing the offense. I don't see any reason why we cannot succeed. Certainly not to the level of Rodgers. But enough to keep the Packers competitive if they can get healthy and productive around him.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

October 18, 2017 at 08:21 pm

I remember Wallace pretty much being a disaster. Now that reality has sunk in I'm excited to see what Hundley will do.

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HankScorpio's picture

October 18, 2017 at 09:44 pm

He only played parts of 2 games..the game Rodgers got hurt and the next start until he got hurt. He certainly didn't do well but the sample size is not much to go on. But just to clarify, I was referring to Wallace's career, not his time in GB.

Either way, his performance was really beside the point. My point was that the organization was both reckless and delusional at that spot that year. They foolishly spent the entire offseason with Graham Harrell as the backup. When he inevitably failed in TC, they tried to salvage as best they could by adding Wallace after final cuts. No offseason work, no camp and very limited reps once the season started meant that Wallace, despite his experience and history, was set up to fail if forced onto the field. He simply had no time to get in sync with his teammates, the offense or the coaching staff. The Packers guaranteed they would be in a bad spot in March-April by not adding a legit backup. They got lucky that Flynn, a guy that did know GB, came free and was able to step in.

None of those negatives are in place this time out. The Packers have been grooming someone they claim to really like with another behind him. There is 5 combined years in GB left in the QB room, not 5 games. That puts them in a much better position this time around.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2017 at 07:48 am

Wallace got injured on the first series of the game after Rodgers got hurt. We really have no idea how good or bad he would have been. I guess technically a disaster, but not based on his play.

I am excited as well...

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2017 at 09:23 am

I actually felt that Wallace had the potential to be a reasonable stopgap for the Packers at that stage...better than Tolzien, anyway. He never really got the chance to play his game.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2017 at 09:57 am

yeah, I thought he would have been ok. But like you said he never got that chance.

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stockholder's picture

October 18, 2017 at 08:23 pm

Saying all the right things. + + + + + + + LIke !

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dobber's picture

October 18, 2017 at 08:59 pm

Early week injury report is up:

http://www.packers.com/team/injury-report.html

Only DNPs are Burnett (hammy), ARod (collarbone), Taylor and Thomas (ankles). Burnett being a DNP at this point (after not practicing last week) argues that he's going to sit this week, too.

Kevin King a full participant, but it's not good when 4 of your CBs are on the report and a 5th just went on IR.

On the flip side, scroll to the bottom of the page to check out the Saints' report. Maybe this is why they seem to be playing well right now...

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Gianich's picture

October 18, 2017 at 09:07 pm

Not worried about Brett! Worried about his protection and Brees history against Dom's D.

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NoNonsense's picture

October 18, 2017 at 09:30 pm

Step one and I'm serious about this is to get Janis on the field for Hundley. Those two have worked together for 3 years now on a daily basis. They have chemistry and Hundley is not afraid or hesistant to throw it to him.

If there was ever a time where Janis can shine the time is now. Rodgers may have largely ignored him when he was on the field, Hundley will not.

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Tundraboy's picture

October 19, 2017 at 07:20 am

Great point. Forgot about Janis.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2017 at 07:31 am

I have thought about this. Janis, Allison and Davis could all have more chemistry then Rodgers had with them. Might need to find ways to get them on the field some.

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2017 at 09:34 am

I think 8-10 snaps might be appropriate. As people like to post: things happen when Janis gets the ball on offense...the problem is, he's not the easiest guy to get the ball to. Just have to make it so you're not telegraphing a play when he runs out on the field, too.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2017 at 09:58 am

I wonder if we may see a Janis Jet Sweep or something?

But his play as a KR kind of has me wondering about him.

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2017 at 10:07 am

I'm not a big Janis supporter. He's a local kid around here and is generally, by all reports, a quality human being. You'd like to see him do well.

But I'm all in favor of finding a way to get him the ball with a head of steam. He can make things happen on the move...jet sweeps, drags underneath. I think he could add variety, maybe get a splash play, and help out #7. I don't think you take a better player off the field to get him much more than about 10 snaps, though.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2017 at 10:30 am

I like Janis, but it feels like the time is or has ran out for him.

With his speed and strength getting him the ball can do a lot for the offense. Last year he had a couple of huge plays off of sweeps. Could happen again.

Some misdirection type of stuff could really help Hundley and the offense out.

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Denver's picture

October 18, 2017 at 09:46 pm

Gotta like this kid...stay healthy!

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porupack's picture

October 19, 2017 at 12:32 am

Hope he can put up at least 3 touchdowns by running or passing, and hope Monty or AJones gets 2-3 more.

Five touchdowns will be needed this week. GB D won't be stopping many.

I have confidence MM will have good plan for Hundley. Not confident in Capers having a unit prepared to play.

Good luck, Hundley. We're behind you.

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Samson's picture

October 19, 2017 at 12:49 am

I don't have an issue with Hundley starting at QB. -- He may do well if allowed to. --- The OL questions and the lack of a definitive "D" will decide the game against the Saints.

AR was definitely the numero uno who carried the Pack (for several years) but this roster is still devoid of "impact players" who can make up for the loss of AR. --- This season may very well turn into a season to forget.

I doubt 5-5 will get the Pack into the playoffs and 5-5 with Hundley at QB is actually pretty good.

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croatpackfan's picture

October 19, 2017 at 04:30 am

I like Brett's attitude...

I still have very good feeling about next Sunday game...

I hope we all will be pleasently surprised!

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NickPerry's picture

October 19, 2017 at 06:56 am

Have to establish a Running Game some how to help Hundley out. I really think Jones might be the better option this week against the Saints simply because Jones seems better than Monty at seeing the crease, cutting, and then goes. I still love Monty but until he's not wearing a flack jacket why play him on 1st or 2nd downs? Why even at all?

Hundley should do okay as long as McCarthy's plan is to get the ball out quickly. STOP with the 5 step drops and the routes that take time to develop, you'll kill the kid before he has a chance.

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Tundraboy's picture

October 19, 2017 at 07:15 am

Agree on Monty. Play Mays as well

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2017 at 07:34 am

I actually think Montgomery would be better in 3rd down situations. Try getting him the ball in space more.

I agree about Jones. He is their best pure RB, so he needs to get on the field more.

I think Hundley will be fine. And I agree that McCarthy has to have a good game plan. Get the ball out fast. Also do some misdirection type of stuff. Maybe a Jet sweep or something similar. Don't be surprised if we see some read option type of stuff too...

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croatpackfan's picture

October 19, 2017 at 08:00 am

Based on preseason snaps, I like Mays as RB. But, some weaknesses was maybe shown at practices, and that is why Mays is off the field!

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 19, 2017 at 09:18 am

RC - I think you'll like some of the suggestions given in the APC article - link below.

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2017/10/19/16497196/brett-hundley-pac...

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2017 at 10:04 am

Thanks TGR.

yeah, i definitely agree with a lot of those.

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Tundraboy's picture

October 19, 2017 at 07:12 am

Me thinks this Sunday could be Brett Hundleys coming out party. Hope so. Beating Brees would be a hell of a way to start his career.

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Tundraboy's picture

October 19, 2017 at 07:15 am

.

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