Green Bay just added a new face to the quarterback room, and no, it’s not another cheesehead. Former Cardinals draft pick Clayton Tune is joining the practice squad! Will this move shake up the future behind Jordan Love, or is it just another Sunday stroll in the park? Get the lowdown on the signal-caller everyone’s talking about.
Green Bay Packers make a significant roster adjustment, adding former Arizona Cardinals draft pick Clayton Tune to their practice squad, sparking discussions about the team’s quarterback depth and future plans. This move sees the departure of rookie Taylor Elgersma and 2023 draft pick Sean Clifford, with Tune, a signal-caller with NFL starting experience and a prolific college career, stepping in. This development highlights the continuous evolution of the “Green Bay Packers” roster and their strategy for developing “NFL Quarterbacks.”
“Clayton Tune” was the 139th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Cardinals, just ten picks before the Packers selected Sean Clifford. His collegiate career at the University of Houston was marked by remarkable productivity. As a five-year starter, he etched his name in school history, ranking second in touchdown passes, third in completions, and fourth in wins. His senior season in 2022 was particularly stellar, where he amassed over 4,000 passing yards and 40 touchdowns, alongside an impressive 546 rushing yards and five more scores.
Tune’s tenure at Houston showcased a highly accurate and productive passer who consistently elevated the program. The year prior to his senior explosion, he guided the Cougars to a 12-2 record, culminating in an appearance in the AAC Championship Game. A notable connection for the “Green Bay Packers” is that Tune was a teammate of Matthew Golden, a first-round pick who thrived as a true freshman receiver during Tune’s impressive 2022 campaign, catching 38 passes for 584 yards and seven touchdowns.
“Clayton Tune”‘s lone NFL regular-season start came in Week 9 of his rookie year, a challenging outing against the Cleveland Browns. In a 27-0 defeat, he completed 11 of 20 passes for a mere 58 yards, threw two interceptions, endured seven sacks, and lost a fumble. The Cardinals’ offense struggled mightily, finishing 1-for-13 on third or fourth down and failing to advance beyond the Browns’ 44-yard line. This start occurred as Kyler Murray was rehabilitating a knee injury and Josh Dobbs had been traded, thrusting Tune into an unenviable position.
Beyond his arm talent, Tune possesses an intriguing blend of size and athleticism that makes him an appealing “NFL Prospect.” Standing 6-2 and weighing 220 pounds, he clocked a 4.64-second 40-yard dash and showcased explosive power with a 37.5″ vertical and 10-2 broad jump. His agility drills, including a 4.25 short shuttle and 6.89 three-cone, place him in the 98th percentile for “NFL Quarterbacks.” His collegiate career also saw him accumulate over 1,200 rushing yards, demonstrating his ability to extend plays and contribute with his legs.
Evaluating “Clayton Tune” based on limited regular-season action is difficult, but his three years of preseason play offer further insight. Across the 2023-2025 preseasons, he completed 99 of 160 passes (61.9%) for 900 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions, resulting in a 75.5 passer rating. While Pro Football Focus noted five “big time throws,” they also identified three “turnover worthy plays.” Pressure has been a significant hurdle, as Tune took 19 sacks and saw nearly 25% of his pressured dropbacks turn into sacks, averaging over 3.0 seconds from snap to throw.
After two seasons as a backup with the Cardinals, Tune was released after losing the No. 2 job to Jacoby Brissett in 2025, subsequently going unclaimed on waivers before the “Green Bay Packers” secured him for their “Practice Squad.” This move signals a fresh opportunity for Tune, as the Packers’ previous third-string options, Taylor Elgersma and Sean Clifford, reportedly hadn’t shown the desired development. Under the tutelage of coach Matt LaFleur, who has notably improved both Jordan Love and Malik Willis, “Clayton Tune” now has a chance to hone his skills and potentially contend for the No. 2 quarterback role behind Love in 2026, marking an important piece of “Football News” for the team.