By Jordan Long
The Green Bay Packers start training camp on July 26th. They know their starting quarterback will be Jordan Love. The Packers though added to their backup quarterback competition as they agreed to a contract with Alex McGough.
McGough was originally drafted by Seattle in the 7th round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He didn’t play a game for Seattle but was on the practice squad. In 2019, McGough went to Jacksonville but was waived and didn’t earn a spot on the active roster. Houston picked him up but his stint there didn’t last. He was released on October 12, 2020. On December 9th, 2020 Seattle again signed him, but he was let go on August 23rd, 2021.
For the past two years, McGough played in the USFL (United States Football League) with the Birmingham Stallions. Last season, McGough was 39 of 75 passing for 460 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Birmingham won the USFL Championship, beating the Philadelphia Stars 33-30.
This past season, McGough led Birmingham to an 8-2 regular season record. McGough passed for 2,104 yards and 20 touchdowns. His 20 touchdowns led the USFL. McGough was also picked off an outstandingly low 5 times. He was named USFL MVP. Birmingham again advanced to the USFL Championship. They knocked off the Pittsburgh Maulers 28-12 to win back-to-back championships.
The Packers knew they needed a backup quarterback behind Love. Besides McGough, their quarterback room includes Sean Clifford and Danny Etling. Clifford was a 5th-round draft pick in this year’s draft. He has yet to read an NFL defense. Etling has been in the NFL since 2018 but has yet to throw a pass in an NFL regular season game.
McGough knows this could be his last shot at an NFL roster. He played well in the USFL, but that is not the NFL. McGough needs to prove he can read NFL defenses and make the right decisions with the football. His play in preseason games will determine his fate. If he can make an NFL roster, it will show the USFL is well worth it for players who need to improve their skills.
Leave a Reply