🚨 Packers Release Clayton Tune: Desmond Ridder to Step In as Backup Quarterback 👇

The Green Bay Packers have officially ended their brief experiment with quarterback Clayton Tune, announcing on Tuesday that the former Arizona Cardinals fifth-round pick has been cut from the team. Tune’s time with the Packers was short and unremarkable, and his performance in relief action highlighted the team’s decision to move on from the young quarterback.

Clayton Tune’s Struggles with the Packers

Clayton Tune, who spent his college years at Houston, was given the opportunity to showcase his skills after joining the Packers, but his time on the field was less than promising. His debut came in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens, when he was thrust into action and completed only 1-of-4 passes for eight yards, while also throwing an interception. That performance was far from what the Packers had hoped for, but they decided to give Tune another shot as the starting quarterback in Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Unfortunately for Tune, the results weren’t any better. In his second start, he completed just 6-of-11 passes for 34 yards and failed to throw a touchdown. Though he was sacked four times by the aggressive defense of Brian Flores, Tune’s lack of pocket presence and inability to manage the internal clock contributed significantly to those sacks. Simply put, Tune did not appear to be capable of fulfilling the backup quarterback role, let alone leading the offense as a starter.

It was a harsh assessment, but it became clear that Clayton Tune was not an ideal fit for the Packers’ system. His struggles highlighted the need for a more capable quarterback to provide depth and stability, which led to his release.

Desmond Ridder’s Activation: A More Reliable Option

In a corresponding move to the release of Tune, the Packers have activated Desmond Ridder from their practice squad to the active roster. While Ridder has not been a standout quarterback in his career, he certainly brings more experience and stability than Tune. Ridder, selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round (pick No. 74) of the 2022 NFL Draft, has started 18 games out of the 25 he’s played in. Over the course of his career, Ridder has thrown for 4,002 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, along with 293 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

Though Ridder has bounced around the NFL, spending time with the Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings, he has at least proven he can handle the pressures of an NFL game. His experience as a starting quarterback with the Falcons gives him a level of reliability that Tune simply could not provide. Ridder’s activation was an easy decision for the Packers, who are now preparing him as the potential emergency QB3 for their upcoming wild card matchup with the Chicago Bears this weekend.

The Importance of Ridder’s Availability for the Packers

With both Jordan Love and Malik Willis dealing with injuries late in the season, having Ridder as a potential backup makes sense for the Packers. While Love is expected to remain the starter, Willis, who has been nursing injuries of his own, might not be available to step in as quickly as the Packers need him to. Ridder, now available as an insurance policy, gives Green Bay a reliable option in case of emergency.

While Ridder’s ceiling may not be as high as some other quarterbacks, the Packers at least know what they’re getting with him: a game-ready quarterback who has experience in multiple systems and a track record of holding his own in NFL games. If the Packers need him to step in, he can provide a level of stability that Tune could not.

Conclusion: Packers Move On from Tune, Find Stability in Ridder

The Green Bay Packers have decided to part ways with Clayton Tune after his brief and unimpressive tenure with the team. While Tune showed flashes of potential, his poor performances highlighted the need for a more capable backup quarterback. With Desmond Ridder now activated, the Packers have added a more reliable option to their roster, ready to step in if needed during their wild card game against the Chicago Bears.

Though Ridder may not be a future superstar, he offers a solid, dependable presence in a backup role, which is all the Packers need as they move forward in the postseason. The team now has a better chance of ensuring they have adequate quarterback depth—something that could be crucial if injuries strike again.

For now, Green Bay fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their backup quarterback situation is in more reliable hands, and they can look forward to seeing what Jordan Love and the rest of the team can do in the wild card round against the Bears.