An NFL season is remarkably short, and the Green Bay Packers are already in a tight spot.
Losing their first game was one thing, but losing their young star quarterback was another. Jordan Love suffered an MCL sprain, which will reportedly keep him out anywhere from three to six weeks, though his head coach still claims he's day-to-day.
With so little time before their home opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, the Packers have no time to incorporate a new quarterback and get him ready to play. Malik Willis, who the Packers acquired from the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 26, will have to steer the ship.
However, if Willis is unable to lead the Packers to a win, dragging them to a last-place, 0-2 start, another move could be in order.
Rucker Haringey of FanSided proposed that the Packers could sign Arizona Cardinals practice squad quarterback Desmond Ridder, formerly the 2023 starter for the Atlanta Falcons.
"Ridder is far from a perfect solution for the Packers, but their strong ground game might limit his need to read complex coverages down the field," Haringey said. "That would improve his efficiency and make him a reasonable alternative to Willis in future weeks."
Ridder, 25, has 17 career NFL starts in two seasons, both with the Atlanta Falcons. He went 8-9, throwing for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 52.0 QBR.
Adding Ridder is a desperate solution, but the Packers could quickly become desperate. They're starting a quarterback this week who has yet to prove he's capable of throwing an NFL touchdown. A loss could put this season in peril very quickly.
If Love's injury recovery appears headed towards the longer end of the timeline, and if Willis looks incapable of leading the Packers to even a single win, Ridder could be the only remaining solution. Because he is on Arizona's practice squad, there's no need for the Packers to give up trade capital.
It will all come down to Willis' performance at Lambeau Field. His play could force the Packers' hand, either way it swings.
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