Green Bay Packers fans, hold onto your cheeseheads! The Packers are ushering in a new era following the departure of franchise stalwart Aaron Rodgers. A rising USFL star, Alex McGough, the 2023 USFL MVP and Birmingham Stallions quarterback, is set to light up Lambeau Field, according to sports correspondent Aaron Wilson and KPRC2. The addition of McGough, after a successful workout, is a significant step in the team’s restructuring and could present a potential backup for incumbent starter Jordan Love.
McGough led the Stallions to their second consecutive USFL championship, posting impressive stats along the way. The dual-threat QB racked up a 67.4 percent completion rate, 2,104 passing yards, and an impressive 20 touchdowns against only five interceptions during the regular season. He proved equally effective on the ground, rushing for 403 yards and five touchdowns.
McGough had one of the best seasons in pro spring football history. He had 34 TDs with 2,657 passing yards, 551 rushing yards in 12 games. Modern USFL regular season records in: TDs Total (25) & Pass (20) & Rush (5) QB Rush yards (403) Pass Rating (108.3)
Stallions’ head coach, Skip Holtz, unequivocally endorsed his charge, stating, “I think he’s as good as I’ve ever been around, and I’ve been around a lot of NFL quarterbacks.” That’s a glowing endorsement indeed, considering Holtz’s years-long coaching tenure.
McGough has not always had a smooth sailing in his professional career. The 27-year-old Florida International University alum was a 2018 seventh-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks. However, he didn’t make the cut for the final roster, leading to stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans. Despite these initial setbacks, McGough has yet to play in an NFL game. Yet his stellar performance in the USFL has evidently captured the Packers’ attention.
The anticipated addition of McGough would bolster the Packers’ QB arsenal entering training camp, with the group including Love, Sean Clifford, and Danny Etling. McGough’s signing marks the latest development in a dynamic offseason for the Packers, who are currently in transition after Rodgers’ move to the New York Jets.
Despite the QB room’s youthfulness, McGough brings starting experience at the professional level, albeit outside the NFL. With the Packers’ roster now at its training camp limit of 90 players, the former Stallions’ standout might be a dark horse to secure the backup spot behind Love.
The new recruit might face some skepticism due to his lack of NFL experience, but the Packers’ management appears confident in his abilities. General Manager Brian Gutekunst hinted at a potential signing during the offseason, saying, “we will see how those guys do before we decide to explore other options.”
Head coach Matt LaFleur echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the need for extensive reps for his QBs, particularly in the absence of a veteran player. The upcoming training camp, starting Wednesday, July 26, will be pivotal in evaluating McGough’s NFL readiness. Packers fans can expect an intense competition as the quarterbacks vie for their position on the depth chart.
