How did the “Gold Package” come about at Packers games?
Understand the origins of the “Gold Package” at Green Bay Packers games and learn why these fans will be able to see all three NFC North opponents in 2024.
DENVER — He got lucky on his first snap. Sean Clifford backed away from center and nearly dropped the football. It dangled loosely around his waist when Clifford finally secured it from center Sean Rhyan.
That was a pretty bad way to start the night. The Denver Broncos got a facemask penalty, which gave them 15 free yards, but that wasn’t the way Clifford wanted to get 15 yards. After a botched snap exchange. The problem for the Green Bay Packers in their 27-2 loss to the Broncos under the lights of Empower Field at Mile High Stadium is that it never got better.
Clifford’s first snap was almost fumbled. His last pass was intercepted. It was a debacle.
“It was a long night,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “I was hoping our guys would come out with more effort, commitment and grit after they were kind of humiliated in practice the other day. To have it happen again is not what we want.”
It’s easy to dismiss this trip to Denver as something less important. The Packers made that clear when they took 31 players out of the game Sunday night, including all of their veteran starters on offense and defense. The Broncos kept their starters on offense and defense playing into the second quarter. That decision passed the logic test, because this team should be in the running this fall. The Broncos are not. And the last thing a competitive team needs in August is a season-altering injury.
But there are positions that are a little more important on a competitive team. Backup quarterback is one of the most important positions. If all goes according to plan, Jordan Love will take every important snap for the Packers this fall. Of course, in a game as brutal as football, things don’t always go according to plan. It’s possible that the Packers will need Clifford or rookie quarterback Michael Pratt or whoever general manager Brian Gutekunst signs if neither of them gets the job to keep the season going for a week or two this fall.
In that sense, Sunday night was a particularly missed opportunity. Because this was a chance for Clifford or Pratt to show they were willing to fill that small but valuable role, and they just didn’t.
“I think the production kind of speaks for itself,” LaFleur said.
Neither Clifford nor Pratt could move the offense. The Packers managed just 168 yards on the night. That’s just 98 more than the offense managed in three games last week in Cleveland with Love at quarterback. But it went deeper than the numbers. Clifford and Pratt showed an alarming lack of playmaking ability, especially with their arms.
The best play of the two was an 11-yard run by Clifford on a third-and-10 with 2 minutes and 57 seconds left in the first half. Three plays later, on third-and-1, Broncos fullback Jonah Elliss scored a penalty for “unnecessary roughness against the passer” for a free first down.
On the next play, Clifford ended his night with an interception on a pass intended for tight end Joel Wilson. The loss of the turnover halted the most tangible momentum the Packers offense had with Clifford all night, though LaFleur said it wasn’t his quarterback’s fault.
“They were in their three-play coverage,” LaFleur said, “and we had actually set up the game for three plays. I think we need to flatten that route a little bit and try to show up quicker in that window. Sean threw the ball in the right place. Whether it was the timing of the play, I’ll have to look again.
“All in all, the execution just needs to be better.”
Clifford was in no mood to make excuses. There were plenty of other opportunities to make a difference Sunday night. Instead, the 2023 fifth-round draft pick completed 6 of 10 passes for 43 yards, no touchdowns, the interception and a 30.4 passer rating. Clifford had the opportunity to test himself against an NFL starting defense, one with a top cornerback in Pat Surtain II, as a gauge of how his game has evolved a year into his pro career.
Against the Broncos’ starting defense, he completed only 4 of 6 passes for 27 yards.
Not only were there no big plays, but there was no threat of a deep pass. The Broncos defense had no fear. Clifford said the most important lesson he learned Sunday night was that he needed to play faster and avoid inefficiencies in his progressions.
“I thought there were some plays you could make,” Clifford said, “that I was just late on. And when you’re playing against guys like Pat Surtain and the Broncos, you just can’t be late. And when you do, it either leads to an incomplete pass or an intercepted pass. I thought when we had plays, when we made plays, everything was on time. But when we were late, especially looking at myself, that’s when things went off schedule or went wrong.”
If it was a disappointing night for Clifford, Pratt couldn’t have fared any better. He replaced Clifford after the interception and failed to capitalize on the opportunity that was presented to him. Clifford’s play opened the door for Pratt to move up the rankings. He will likely remain the No. 3 quarterback heading into Week 3 of the preseason.
Pratt’s first pass, a screen attempt to running back Ellis Merriweather, was picked off in the backfield by Broncos defensive end Nik Bonitto. The rookie quarterback completed only one of his first four passes, one to Bo Melton for a one-yard loss. On his fifth drop back, a third-and-3 inside the Packers’ 30, Pratt attempted to advance into the pocket to avoid pressure.
He lost a fumble during a sack by Broncos outside linebacker Jonah Elliss.
“I’m just trying to get a checkdown,” Pratt said. “I got pressured and the guy just made a good play. I’ve got to secure the ball.”
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Pratt finished the game 10 of 16 passes for 52 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions and with a passer rating of 67.7. He played the entire second half. His numbers were better than Clifford’s. His play, less so.
So the battle for backups will continue into the final week of the preseason, with no clear favorite. If things continue like this, Gutekunst may have to sign an experienced quarterback, although those options would not be ideal at this time of year. By the end of August, any quarterback who can help a team win is usually already on the roster.
It’s worth remembering that the Packers had enough faith in Clifford to keep him as Love’s backup all of last season. If the race is close, Clifford’s experience likely gives him an advantage, as he’s been in LaFleur’s playbook for a full year more than the rookie Pratt. Clifford was in no mood to provide a bright spot on Sunday night.
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“I think last week was great,” Clifford said. “I thought we moved the ball. We scored. We were efficient, and now you get a loss, and I’ve never had a loss in my life. It’s very humbling. So I’m not going to go out here with my head down. I’m going to make sure I’m doing my best all week and making sure there are going to be mistakes and there are going to be some difficult conversations on some of these plays.”
“This is the National Football League. I want to be held to the highest level and standards. I expect to hold myself to the highest standards. If I don’t meet that, I deserve criticism. Take it and keep working.”
