With one week to go before NFL cutdown day, Canadian rookie quarterback Taylor Elgersma remains in the running to be the third quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.
The Wilfrid Laurier University product completed seven-of-11 passes for 109 yards in under two quarters of action of last week's pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The undrafted Elgersma is competing with 2023 fifth-round pick Sean Clifford, a Penn State product, for the role behind Jordan Love and Malik Willis.
"The thing with both those guys (Clifford and Elgersma) is they went out there and competed. They both had touchdown drives. It's going to be interesting," Packers offensive co-ordinator Adam Stenavich told reporters this week.
Clifford got less playing time than Elgersma in the second of three pre-season games. He ran for a touchdown in a 23-19 triumph.
"I think for his first extended action, I thought there were some really good moments and also some things you have to learn from," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said, noting a touchdown throw into double coverage that was called back on an offside penalty and an interception that was wiped out by another penalty.
"... But shoot, he's still getting used to the field dimensions out there from Canada."
LaFleur was asked what he's looking for in a third QB.
"Somebody who can command the offence," he said. “You want somebody that you can develop into — hopefully — a guy that can play for you someday. You want to see that level of consistency within every position, but in particular the quarterback position that’s so critical to the success of the offence."
The six-foot-five Elgersma, from London, Ont., was named the top male athlete in U Sports last year. If he's cut, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers own his CFL rights after picking Elgersma in the second round of the CFL Draft.
The Packers' final pre-season game is Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks.
NFL teams must reduce their active rosters to 53 players by Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.
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