The Green Bay Packers have an extensive track record of investing in the quarterback position beyond just the long-term starters. Fans naturally focus on Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and now Jordan Love as the faces of the franchise since the 1990s. However, Green Bay’s approach has always gone deeper than that. The team has consistently drafted and developed quarterbacks even when a starter was firmly in place.

That strategy produced players like Matt Hasselbeck, Mark Brunell, Aaron Brooks, and Matt Flynn. None were drafted to replace the incumbent starter, yet all became valuable assets. Through development in Green Bay’s system, they either turned into quality starters elsewhere or carried enough value to net meaningful draft capital when they moved on.

Green Bay is likely to continue that trend in the draft. Malik Willis will get an opportunity to compete for a starting job elsewhere, and, while Desmond Ridder will likely be the backup in 2026, Brian Gutekunst should still bring in competition at the position to maintain depth and long-term value.

That’s where Arkansas’ QB Taylen Green comes in.

In 2025, Green totaled 2,714 passing yards with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while adding 777 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground. That dual-threat profile is what makes him intriguing for Green Bay. His mobility could elevate the rushing attack in a similar way Willis did. Paired with legitimate arm strength, solid pocket presence, and NFL-caliber size, he brings a skill set that can stress defenses both vertically and on the ground.

Arkansas QB Taylen Green has the longest strides running, throws a pretty ball, & had nice touch at an impressively built 6-6, 230

He could’ve lined up with Senior Bowl TEs & I would’ve believed it

Assuming Trinidad Chambliss is back to school, QB3 argument is fair for Green https://t.co/NNAB7XXa8r pic.twitter.com/v1vSQghTTu

— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) January 30, 2026

Since Gutekunst became GM, Green Bay has drafted just three quarterbacks: Jordan Love in 2020, Sean Clifford in 2023, and Michael Pratt in 2024. All three had extensive college experience, each logging at least 1,200 dropbacks. That points to a preference for passers with reliable starting experience. Taylen Green fits that profile, having started at Boise State in 2022 and 2023 before transferring to Arkansas, where he held the starting job throughout 2024 and 2025.

Like most rookies, Green’s game comes with some concerns, particularly his consistency as a passer, decision-making, and accuracy. He’s a raw prospect who would need time before being ready for meaningful NFL snaps.

Still, Willis’ recent example is hard to ignore. In Tennessee, Willis went 1–2 as a starter with a 53% completion rate, no touchdowns, three interceptions, and an 80.8 passer rating. After arriving in Green Bay in 2024, he went 2–1 as a starter, completed 78.6% of his passes, threw six touchdowns with no interceptions, and posted a 135.1 rating. Under the guidance of Matt LaFleur, Tom Clements, and Sean Mannion, Willis rebuilt his value and is now on track to secure a multi-year deal in free agency.

Even with Clements and Mannion no longer in the building, LaFleur still is one of the best offensive minds in the league. For a raw prospect like Green, landing in that environment would still be an ideal situation — a system built to develop quarterbacks without rushing them while maximizing their strengths as they grow.

Casual 60 yarder from Taylen Green (sorry about my cracked iPad screen) pic.twitter.com/2uFu0hDURo

— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) January 29, 2026

You can’t coach speed or size, and Green has both in abundance. The areas of his game that need work — mechanics, decision making, and consistency — are coachable. If that development comes together, he could eventually start for a quarterback-needy team, putting Green Bay in position to extract value down the line, whether through a trade or a compensatory pick.

On the consensus big board, Taylen Green is viewed as a fifth-round pick, putting him well within Green Bay’s range if the opportunity presents itself. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Packers address the position earlier, potentially as soon as late Day 2.

Quarterbacks hold inherent value, and Green Bay’s 2024 season is a reminder of that reality. The Packers don’t make the playoffs without Malik Willis. That experience alone strengthens the case for Green Bay to be aggressive in the backup quarterback board when April arrives.