GREEN BAY, Wis. – Before there was Brett Hundley, there was Matt Hasselbeck -- a late-round draft pick at quarterback who shined in the preseason and netted the Green Bay Packers more value in a trade.
This summer, with an extra preseason game thanks to the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 7, the Packers will have plenty of opportunities to showcase Hundley a year after he led the NFL in preseason passer rating as a rookie.
The Packers traded Hasselbeck, a sixth-round pick in 1998, after his third NFL season. By then, he earned the nickname “Mr. August” because of his stellar play in the preseason. They sent him and their first-round pick (No. 17 overall) to Seattle for the Seahawks’ first-round pick (No. 10) and a third-round pick.
Between now and the Packers' first training camp practice July 26, we will break down each position group.
First up is quarterback:
Returning players: Aaron Rodgers, Hundley
Gone from last season: Scott Tolzien
New this season: Joe Callahan (undrafted free agent), Marquise Williams (street free agent).
Position coach: Alex Van Pelt (third season as QB coach, also coached receivers last year; previously coached running backs in 2012 and 2013).
Biggest issue: How much should the Packers play Rodgers this preseason? At age 32 and entering his 12th season, the two-time NFL MVP knows the offense inside and out. Now it’s all about preserving his body and mind for the grind -- both physical and mental -- of the long NFL season, made a week longer by the Hall of Fame game. That’s another reason Hundley should get plenty of playing time. Rodgers hasn’t played in the preseason finale since 2012 and last year played in only two of the four preseason games. The Packers not only want to see how much Hundley has developed from his rookie season, but they know this is a great opportunity to display his talents and attract suitors who might be interested in trading for him. There’s no chance the Packers trade him this season, but perhaps if the offers are too good to refuse, they could move Hundley, a former fifth-round pick, next offseason.
Player to watch: All eyes are always on Rodgers, who is coming off a down season by the standards he’s held to. Rodgers desperately wants his top receiver, Jordy Nelson, back on the practice field so the two can get their timing back after Nelson missed all of last season because of the torn ACL he suffered in the preseason.
Medical report: Rodgers underwent a knee scope just days after the playoff loss at Arizona, but he was a full participant in the offseason program. He has trimmed down thanks to a diet that, in part, included a self-imposed ban on cheese.
Help wanted: Hundley moved into the No. 2 spot after Tolzien signed with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency. Last year, the Packers kept three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster but with no NFL experience behind Rodgers and Hundley, perhaps the best chance for either Callahan or Williams -- or someone else -- is to stick on the practice squad.
Quotable: “If we didn’t [think Hundley could win games], then we’d be a little nervous right now,” Van Pelt said this offseason. “I don’t feel that way. I trust Brett to go in there and win. It’s not easy, but I expect him to do it.”