Packers Sign Vince Young, Add to QB Competition
The Green Bay Packers have agreed to a one-year deal with quarterback Vince Young, according to several reports.
By Zach Kruse
The Green Bay Packers have added another quarterback to the discussion of who will back up starter Aaron Rodgers in 2013.
According to numerous media outlets, the Packers agreed to a one-year deal with former Pro Bowl quarterback Vince Young, who was in Green Bay for an official workout Monday. The contract is believed to be for the veteran's minimum, or $840,000.
Young will now bring experience to a quarterback competition that had lacked much of it beforehand.
Graham Harrell, 28, has attempted just four NFL passes over three uninspiring seasons in Green Bay. Former seventh-round pick B.J. Coleman spent the 2012 season on the practice squad and only played briefly during the preseason last August. The two were squared against one another this offseason, in hopes that one quarterback would seize the job as Rodgers' top backup. So far, neither quarterback has gained much momentum in becoming that player.
With the first preseason game still four days away, the Packers decided to pull the trigger on a veteran.
The 30-year-old Young has started 50 career games over six NFL seasons, which include five years with the Tennessee Titans and one with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Titans originally drafted the athletic and electric Young with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft. While he went on to earn two Pro Bowl selections as the Titans starter, his erratic play and unpredictable behavior forced Tennessee to send him packing.
Young briefly latched on with the Eagles, but a nine-interception season as the backup quarterback ended his stay in Philadelphia following the 2011 season. He then spent training camp with the Buffalo Bills last August before being cut after a disastrous preseason (276 yards, zero touchdowns, two interceptions).
While the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders both displayed varied interest this offseason, Young hasn't been on an NFL roster for roughly a year.
Over six seasons, Young has completed 755 of 1,304 passes for 8,964 yards, 46 touchdowns and 51 interceptions (74.4 passer rating). He has also rushed for 1,459 yards and 12 touchdowns.
As of now, all indications point to the Packers signing Young as a legitimate contender for the backup job, and not just as a scout quarterback for the read-option offenses facing Green Bay in Weeks 1 and 2 of the regular season.
Zach Kruse is a 25-year-old sports writer who contributes to Cheesehead TV, Bleacher Report and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He also covers prep sports for the Dunn Co. News. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].
Comments (27)
August 05, 2013 at 07:01 pm
Vince welcome to the Dream Team
August 05, 2013 at 07:06 pm
Worst case he helps our defense prep for Kaepernick and RGIII and he's cut at 53. Smart...no risk signing.
August 05, 2013 at 07:50 pm
Hmmm, a mobile QB to practice against...that actually sounds somewhat plausible. Otherwise I can't make any sense out of this.
August 06, 2013 at 07:37 am
That's the way I'm reading this as well.
August 05, 2013 at 07:07 pm
his qb rating is cutleresque
August 05, 2013 at 07:15 pm
Can he play left-tackle?
August 05, 2013 at 08:09 pm
Well-played.
August 05, 2013 at 09:16 pm
Can he kick?
August 06, 2013 at 07:38 am
or play LT?
August 05, 2013 at 07:20 pm
If he still has his natural ability, he can get more out of a play breaking down, with his legs, than Harrell and Coleman.
August 05, 2013 at 07:28 pm
Uhhhh....sure, ok.
August 05, 2013 at 07:48 pm
If I made a list of things that I expected TT to do, I would put signing Vince Young somewhere around #999,999,999, one spot ahead of banning beer from Packer games.
August 05, 2013 at 10:01 pm
I'd have bet on him banning beer first.
TT is a strange, strange man.
August 05, 2013 at 11:38 pm
TT wants to model the Packers after the Patriots organization. This Vince Young move is very Belichick-isque, Only strong organizations who have confident, secure leaders (Brady, Rodgers) can pull this off.
August 05, 2013 at 07:58 pm
Would Vince Young seriously be a threat in the run-option game at this point in his career?(even just for practicing)
Also is he really QB2 material? I would have rather seen Jamarcus Russell get scooped up.
I just dont see the benefit of this signing.
August 05, 2013 at 08:36 pm
That you can't come up with a good reason doesn't mean there aren't good reasons.
It boggles my mind that so many people are oblivious to this simple fact.
August 05, 2013 at 10:59 pm
I think Young would have been a really good read option QB if he was playing in the league now. His passing skills aren't as good as Kaepernick, but his running ability is really good.
Seriously Jamarcus Russell?
Benefits... He costs basically nothing. At the very least will give the defense someone to practice the read option against.
He has a good chance to beat out Harrell and Coleman. Neither has been that great, and maybe the competition will at least elevate their games.
August 05, 2013 at 08:22 pm
First post and mojo were hilarious. I may have had one too many but in my eyes McCarthy is a genius. If he saw something that could legitimately be effective as an NFL QB, then he definately would've asked TT to pull the trigger. We all have seen how s***ty Young has been, but we don't see through Mikes eyes AND we didn't see (for the sake of discussion) what Mike saw. At this point we all agree Harrell sucks and BJ needs work. If Mike could get him ready to plug and play status (see Flynn), then it's a good gamble on a talented but bad player. Like it was said, good signing even if to get ready for option and cut at 53.
August 05, 2013 at 08:23 pm
Haha idiot fan, that's f-in hilarious
August 05, 2013 at 10:19 pm
I'm not surprised. Based on what I saw from Coleman in the scrimmage, he sealed his fate. Packers need three QB's and unless Coleman can't count, he ain't one of them. Would not be surprised to see cut soon.
August 05, 2013 at 11:21 pm
MM & Rodgers might enjoy this.
Veteran read option project?
August 06, 2013 at 03:44 am
... if any guys know how to work with a qb with talent that isn't so smart it's MM and AR and TT
August 06, 2013 at 04:44 am
Towels for everyone!
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/eeca4e7ae6/vince-young-for-towels
August 06, 2013 at 07:59 am
HAHA ok, now I get why he was signed... comic relief for all of the injuries.
August 06, 2013 at 07:02 am
Looks like Young has settled down a bit and is trying to reboot his career. Green Bay is a great town for second chances. Hope he rises from the ashes.
August 06, 2013 at 08:28 am
Im surprised people are shocked by this move. The timing of it seems a little odd but have you seen this defense play against mobile QBs. They need all the practice at it they can get.
August 06, 2013 at 03:51 pm
What a great idea. I say we pass on Tebow in the offseason and pick-up Vince right before camp. The first one would only be a humble servant - the other one will keep the local Green Bay Strip Clubs busy. Make it rain....