In a move that felt inevitable when the Packers traded for QB Malik Willis Monday, former Penn State QB Sean Clifford has been released by Green Bay.
Clifford had been with the Packers since the team selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 Draft.
He was on the team through this preseason, too, but struggled to perform.
In two games, Clifford went a combined 22-for-43 with 207 yards, a touchdown and an interception. On Monday, the Packers traded for Willis, who spent his first two seasons with the Titans and started three games as a rookie in 2022. In Tennessee, he backed up Clifford’s former backup at Penn State, Will Levis.
The Cincinnati native played in two regular-season games as a rookie. He ended the year 1 for 1 with 37 yards, completing that pass New Year’s Eve during a win over the rival Vikings in Minnesota. Two weeks later, Clifford played in Green Bay’s Wildcard win over the Cowboys in Dallas. He took three snaps toward the end but not throwing a pass.
Clifford started at Penn State for four seasons. During that time, he broke numerous school records. Clifford is Penn State’s all-time leader in touchdown passes, passing yards and completions. Sean Clifford passed his predecessor, Trace McSorley, in all three categories in 2022.
“He’s maximized that entire experience,” coach James Franklin said ahead of last year’s Rose Bowl. “He’s maximized it as a student, as a student-athlete. He’s going to go on and be a very, very successful businessman after his football career is done, and he’s done it the right way, and he’s done it with class.
”I’m happy for him. I’m proud of him. And I know he’s going to prepare like crazy to go out and play the best he possibly can against a really tough opponent.”
