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Green Bay Packers see Brett Hundley scratching the surface

By Keegan Matheson

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Green Bay Packers fifth round pick Brett Hundley hasn’t exactly hit the ground running in his young NFL career, but with the pads finally on in training camp, he’s beginning to flash the talent that tempted general manager Ted Thompson.

Hundley comes with prototypical size at the position for the Green Bay Packers and runs a 4.63-second 40-yard dash. Some considered him a value pick at that point in the NFL Draft, but perhaps this is the best scenario for him. Hundley needs to take tremendous strides in progressing through his reads and interpreting defenses. He also must develop better pocket awareness after taking 125 sacks in three seasons at UCLA. Aaron Rodgers isn’t going anywhere, so Hundley can get comfortable. Or can he?

Fellow newcomer Matt Blanchard has seen a fair dose of snaps ahead of Hundley early in camp, and with some touchdown passes of his own today in team drills, he’s becoming much more than a camp body. The 26 year old Blanchard has spent time with the Bears and Panthers since 2012, but comes from a fascinating college background.

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At Division-III UW-Whitewater, Blanchard enjoyed an undefeated career en route to three consecutive national championships, throwing for 44 total touchdowns with just 5 interceptions along the way. Mike McCarthy has regularly expressed how impressed he is with Blanchard, who seems to have slipped through the NFL cracks.

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Hundley has the talent to dream on, however, and in situations similar to this, I always ask who would win the job if the competition ended in a dead tie. The answer, of course, would be Hundley, who Green Bay traded up to invest a draft choice in. Mike McCarthy’s revamped coaching role may also allow him more time to work directly with Hundley and develop him through his offseason quarterback camp.

Scott Tolzien continues to impress as the primary backup to Aaron Rodgers, and I’m perfectly comfortable with him retaining that role throughout 2015 and beyond, if necessary. The unfortunately heartless approach I take to this position is that the Packers, quite simply, can find another Matt Blanchard if Hundley’s development does not progress as they hope. As the number three quarterback, little will be asked of him in year one. Well, let’s hope not, at least.

These touchdown completions to Ty Montgomery and Jeff Janis are a positive first step in crucial August for the former NCAA star. It’s important to note that these took place in the red zone, too, where Hundley’s athleticism is expected to make him a unique weapon should he ever sees the field.

When preseason games begin on Thursday, August 13th against the Patriots, Hundley is one of the Packers that I will be watching closest. A quarterback like Hundley needs live snaps with real tackling more than anyone, and I’ll be hoping that opposing defenses are able to create some level of pressure against him in the pocket. When under fire, Hundley will show Mike McCarthy what type of starting point he is dealing with. Once that’s established, the slow construction of Brett Hundley may truly begin.

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