NFL Today: Testing the Packers’ QB Depth

This week, we learned that the Bears have let highly paid LB Tremaine Edmunds seek a trade; top draft prospect Rueben Bain Jr. says no NFL teams have talked to him about arm length, which is now the hot topic, especially for edge rushers; and Ohio State draft prospect Arvell Reese has clarified that he sees himself more as an outside linebacker/edge rusher when he gets to the NFL. Other Fantasy football stories we’re tracking include…

Jordan Love’s Solid Season

In mid-November, we noted how the Green Bay Packers’ offense had taken a step back. Well, that issue was addressed as soon as we mentioned it as the Pack ran off four straight wins. However, that was followed by a four-game skid and then a monumental collapse in the Wild Card game.

Green Bay has had a very strong team for the last couple of years, but has been unable to win the NFC North, thereby requiring a longer and tougher road to the Super Bowl through the Wild Card.

There are those who still question whether Jordan Love is the franchise quarterback the Packers need, but for our money he had a solid season – perhaps his best since becoming the full-time starter.

Yes, he scuffled in back-to-back games and then missed the final two after suffering a helmet-to-helmet hit in Week 16. But his strong effort in the playoff game, which included four TDs and zero picks, capped a strong campaign which included more completions, a better completion rate and a significant reduction in interceptions compared to 2024.

When judging Love’s season, it’s important to consider that he underwent thumb ligament surgery just before the campaign. He is no longer a top 10 quarterback in Dynasty leagues, and while his wife is packing it in, we still think Love has upside. It’s interesting to note, however, that similar to Cincy (see below), Green Bay may soon need a new understudy with Malik Willis becoming a free agent shortly, so it’s possible the team’s QB depth will be tested.

Bengals Also Need a New Backup

When we last checked in on the Cincinnati Bengals a rare strong start had already evaporated and the team was again having QB issues with Joe Burrow hurt as per usual (we wonder what the FanDuel odds of that happening were) and Jake Browning wasn’t exactly inspiring confidence as a fill-in.

Ultimately, Cincy brought in Joe Flacco, and while he was better, the Bengals still went 1-8 while Burrow was sidelined, ensuring a third straight season out of the playoffs. Now, while Burrow had another strong year (maybe not as good as 2024, but good enough for a third Pro Bowl selection), given his health history, the Bengals will need to address the backup QB position this offseason, either through free agency or the draft.

That’s a situation that’s been confirmed by coach Zac Taylor, so that likely means the end of the Bengal tenures for both Browning and Flacco.

Obviously, Cincinnati has plenty of work to do this offseason on the defensive side of things, but it’s interesting to see the team acknowledge that it hasn’t been good enough when Burrow gets hurt.

Let’s face it, Browning didn’t cut it, and there was no one else on the roster or practice squad that the Bengals had faith in, so in came Flacco. And while Flacco is open to returning to Cincy for 2026, we don’t get the sense the feeling is mutual, although at least one key Bengal coach wants him back, so we’ll see how that plays out.

Well, with the NFL free agency period opening on March 11, we will soon find out exactly what the Bengals plan to do.

RotoRob Tune of the Day

Swedish garage rock band The Hives got their start in 1993 and are still active today. In 2001, they released Your New Favourite Band, a compilation which included songs from their first two albums plus the EP A.K.A. I-DI-I-O-T. The third single from this compilation was “Die, All Right!”