The Green Bay Packers enter the 2026 offseason facing a significant transition in their quarterback room. Following the departure of Malik Willis, who secured a lucrative starting-caliber contract with the Miami Dolphins in free agency, General Manager Brian Gutekunst and Head Coach Matt LaFleur have pivoted to an open competition to find the next primary insurance policy for Jordan Love. As of late April 2026, the roster features three distinct candidates—Desmond Ridder, Kyle McCord, and Kyron Drones—each representing a different philosophy of backup quarterback management.

The stakes are higher than a typical backup battle. In both 2024 and 2025, Jordan Love missed critical snaps due to minor injuries, and it was the steady hand of the backup that preserved Green Bay’s playoff seeding. Replacing a player of Willis’s recent impact requires a blend of mental acuity, physical tools, and schematic fit.

The Void Left by the Malik Willis Era

To understand what the Packers are looking for in 2026, one must look at the standard set by Malik Willis during his tenure in Wisconsin. Willis was the ultimate "fire extinguisher." Traded from the Tennessee Titans in late 2024 for a seventh-round pick, he arrived with a "raw" reputation but flourished under the tutelage of Matt LaFleur and quarterback coach Tom Clements.

Willis proved his worth by winning two starts in 2024 against the Colts and Titans, and delivering a game-winning drive in Jacksonville. In 2025, his efficiency reached new heights, leading touchdown drives against the Giants and keeping the team competitive during Love’s brief exits. His ability to threaten defenses with his legs while maintaining a 100+ passer rating made him the most valuable backup in the league. Now that he has parlayed that success into a $30 million-per-year deal in Miami, Green Bay must find a way to replicate that production without a massive financial commitment.

The current strategy reflects a return to the competitive laboratory environment. By opting not to use a selection in the 2026 NFL Draft on a quarterback, the front office signaled confidence in their ability to "reclaim" veteran talent or develop undrafted gems.

Desmond Ridder and the Veteran Floor

Desmond Ridder enters the 2026 training camp as the most experienced option on the depth chart. Signed to a practice squad deal late in 2025 and retained for the 2026 campaign, Ridder brings 18 NFL starts to the table from his time with the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders.

Professional Experience and Stability

At 26 years old, Ridder is no longer a "prospect," but he is far from a finished product in the eyes of the Packers' staff. His career completion percentage of 63.6% and an 82.6 passer rating suggest a player who can manage a game but has historically struggled with turnovers (14 interceptions in 19 appearances).

The appeal of Ridder lies in his "floor." Unlike a rookie, Ridder has seen every NFL defensive coverage. He understands how to navigate a huddle and manage the 40-second clock under pressure. For Matt LaFleur, having a backup who doesn't need his hand held through basic operation is a luxury.

Schematic Fit in the West Coast System

Ridder’s athleticism is often underrated. During his pre-draft process, he showcased 4.5-speed, which fits the "illusion of complexity" LaFleur likes to create with bootlegs and zone-read elements. If Ridder can improve his "quick processing"—an area where Brian Gutekunst believes he has untapped upside—he becomes the safest choice to lead the team for a 2-3 game stretch if Jordan Love is sidelined.

Kyle McCord and the Developmental Ceiling

The most intriguing name in the room might be Kyle McCord. After a prolific final college season at Syracuse, where he led the nation with over 4,700 passing yards and set an ACC record, McCord found himself on the fringes of the NFL after a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Pure Passer Profile

McCord is a "volume" thrower. In 2024 at Syracuse, he recorded 11 games with over 300 passing yards. His ability to distribute the ball with anticipation and accuracy is what caught the eye of the Packers' scouting department. Unlike Willis or Ridder, McCord is a more traditional pocket passer. He thrives when he can sit behind a clean offensive line and dissect coverages.

The challenge for McCord in Green Bay will be adapting to the "off-platform" requirements of the modern Packers offense. Jordan Love has mastered the art of the "unconventional" throw—angles and cadences learned from Aaron Rodgers. McCord, historically a more rigid passer, must show he can create when the initial play structure breaks down.

The Futures Contract Bet

Signing McCord to a "futures" contract is a classic low-risk, high-reward move by Gutekunst. If the Packers' "Quarterback School" can increase McCord’s processing speed—a trait Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman once praised—Green Bay could have a high-level distributor waiting in the wings for a fraction of the cost of a veteran free agent.

Kyron Drones as the Dual-Threat Wild Card

Immediately following the 2026 NFL Draft, the Packers moved quickly to sign Kyron Drones as an undrafted free agent. Drones, a standout dual-threat playmaker in the collegiate ranks, represents the "tools-sy" developmental project that this coaching staff loves to mold.

Physical Profile and Comparisons

Drones possesses the physical stature and rushing dynamism that mirrors Malik Willis’s playstyle. He is a "power runner" at the quarterback position, capable of gaining tough yards on third-and-short while possessing a "cannon" for an arm. However, like many young dual-threat passers, his footwork and deep-ball consistency remain inconsistent.

The Training Camp Narrative

For Drones to win the job over a veteran like Ridder or a prolific passer like McCord, he must prove he can handle the "mental load" of the Green Bay playbook. The Packers rarely carry three quarterbacks on the active 53-man roster—a trend dating back to the 2019 season, with the sole exception of 2020. This means Drones is likely competing for a primary spot on the practice squad unless he absolutely lights up the preseason with his legs and explosive playmaking.

The Philosophy of the Green Bay Quarterback School

The search for a backup in Green Bay is never just about finding a "placeholder." It is about maintaining a "Quarterback School" culture that has historically turned backups into starters (and trade bait). From Matt Hasselbeck and Aaron Brooks to Flynn, Love, and most recently Willis, the Packers have a proven track record of elevating QB play.

Lessons from the Rodgers-Love Transition

The dynamic between Jordan Love and his backups is influenced by Love’s own experience sitting behind Aaron Rodgers for three seasons. Love learned how to "break the rules"—making no-look passes and adjusting arm angles—by watching a master at work. Now, as the established starter with a 108.1 passer rating and a leadership role, Love is the one providing the "mental blueprint" for Ridder, McCord, and Drones.

Matt LaFleur and Tom Clements emphasize a specific set of "non-negotiables":

  1. Rhythm and Timing: The ball must be out on the third or fifth step of the drop.
  2. Protections: The backup must be able to identify "the Mike" and adjust blitz pickups as efficiently as Love.
  3. Accuracy over Velocity: While arm strength is a bonus, the ability to put the ball in a position where the receiver can create YAC (yards after catch) is paramount.

Why the Backup Role is Critical for the 2026 Packers

The Packers enter 2026 with Super Bowl aspirations. The roster is deep, the defense has solidified under recent transitions, and the offensive weapons are in their prime. In this environment, a backup quarterback isn't just a roster spot; it's a "season-saver."

Jordan Love is not necessarily "injury-prone," but the physical nature of his game—including his willingness to extend plays outside the pocket—exposes him to contact. He missed nearly two games in 2025 and two-and-half games in 2024. In a hyper-competitive NFC North, one or two losses during a starter's absence can be the difference between a #1 seed with a bye and a road trip in the Wild Card round.

The "Willis Precedent" showed that a backup can do more than just "not lose" the game; they can win it. The Packers are looking for that specific spark in the Ridder-McCord-Drones trio.

What to Watch for in the 2026 Preseason

As the team moves toward August, several key milestones will determine the final depth chart:

  1. The "Two-Minute" Drill: Matt LaFleur places immense value on how a quarterback handles the end-of-half and end-of-game scenarios. Ridder’s experience should give him the edge here, but Drones’ ability to scramble for a first down could be a factor.
  2. Red Zone Efficiency: The windows get smaller inside the 20-yard line. McCord’s anticipation and accuracy will be tested here.
  3. Turnover Differential: In the 2024 training camp, the backup battle was marred by interceptions. The player who protects the football best in the three preseason games will almost certainly be the one standing on the sidelines in Week 1.

The most likely outcome, based on historical roster construction, is that the Packers keep two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. Desmond Ridder is the front-runner due to his experience and "upside" as a restorable asset. However, if Kyle McCord shows elite processing or Kyron Drones proves to be a dynamic "change of pace" option, the Packers could be forced to make a difficult cut or utilize the practice squad "elevation" rules strategically.

Conclusion

The Green Bay Packers' backup quarterback situation in 2026 is a fascinating study in roster building. By moving on from the successful but expensive Malik Willis, the team has embraced a "low-cost, high-competition" model. Whether it is the veteran stability of Desmond Ridder, the prolific arm of Kyle McCord, or the raw athleticism of Kyron Drones, the goal remains the same: ensure that if "emergency glass" needs to be broken, the "fire extinguisher" is ready to keep the Super Bowl dream alive. The 2026 training camp will serve as the ultimate proving ground for these three signal-callers as they vie for the right to stand behind Jordan Love.

FAQ

Who is currently the Green Bay Packers' backup quarterback? As of late April 2026, there is no designated #2 quarterback. The team is holding an open competition between veteran Desmond Ridder, developmental passer Kyle McCord, and undrafted free agent Kyron Drones.

What happened to Malik Willis? After two highly successful seasons as Jordan Love's backup, Malik Willis signed a significant contract with the Miami Dolphins during the 2026 free agency period to compete for a starting role.

Did the Packers draft a quarterback in 2026? No, the Packers did not select a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. Instead, they focused on signing Kyron Drones as an undrafted free agent and bringing in Kyle McCord on a futures contract to compete with veteran Desmond Ridder.

How many quarterbacks do the Packers usually keep on their 53-man roster? Under Matt LaFleur, the Packers typically carry only two quarterbacks on the active roster, using the practice squad to develop a third option. The only exception since 2019 was the 2020 season.

Why is the backup quarterback role so important for Green Bay? Jordan Love has missed several games over the past two seasons due to minor injuries. A competent backup is essential for maintaining the team's playoff positioning and division standing during his absence.