Former Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford has been waived by the Packers.
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported early Tuesday afternoon that Clifford, along with fellow reserve QB Taylor Elgersma, have been waived, leaving only starter Jordan Love and backup Malik Willis on the roster.
Being a fifth-round pick in 2023, Clifford was always going to have an uphill battle.
Since starting his journey, Clifford has mainly been a practice squad player, although he has gotten some brief spells in regular-season games. He appeared twice in 2023, completing his only passing attempt— a 37-yarder to former Rutgers star Bo Melton against the Vikings on New Year’s Eve.
He’s played much more extensively in the preseason.
This year, Clifford went 9-for-17 for 44 yards.
In two games last preseason, Clifford went a combined 22-for-43 with 207 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Sean 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.”
Although this is discouraging for Clifford, “The Big Red Dog” might not yet be at the end of his leash.
He’s only 27, and has already bounced back from one release to stay with the Packers.
It’s likely that either Clifford or Elgersma will stay on Green Bay’s practice squad. Elgersma is as a CFL draft pick who Green Bay signed as a free agent over the spring. So one would think Clifford has a good shot to stick around.
