Packers' Back Up Quarterback Options Thinning

While I can understand Green Bay Packer General Manager Ted Thompson's strategy of waiting on free agents until the prices come down, his decision to delay any signings might come back to haunt the team when it comes to finding a back up to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The two most proven veterans on the market, Mark Brunell and Trent Green have both been signed; though, in Thompson's defense, Brunell didn't look at any team other than the New Orleans Saints and Green received way too much money from the Rams (roughly $3 million per year) given his history with concussions.

The way I see it, the Packers still have several potential free agents that are still viable options at back up but might see that list growing shorter on a weekly basis:

Daunte Culpepper - Culpepper would give them a veteran player who has had limited success in the league. However, there's still a question about whether he has fully recovered from a 2005 knee injury. Also, I don't think he would consider the Packers unless he had a chance to earn the starting job.

Quinn Gray - Gray is the only quarterback the Packers have brought in so far. Gray was decent in place of an injured David Garrard last season and played well enough to keep the team in the playoff hunt. However, I don't know if I would be comfortable entering the 2008 season with a starter and back up that have attempted a combined 239 passes in their careers. The Oakland Raiders are also interested in Gray and that might create a bidding war for his services; something the Packers have traditionally avoided.

Trent Dilfer - Chances are Dilfer will retire. However, Ted Thompson is familiar with him from their days with the Seattle Seahawks and might make an inquiry. At this point in his career, Dilfer isn't anything more than a third string quarterback. However, he does have a Super Bowl ring and was a good mentor for Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck so he might be worth a look.

Gus Frerotte - Frerotte does have extensive experience with several teams around the league. However, he'll be 37 at the start of the 2008 season and his skills are starting to deteriorate.

Byron Leftwich - Leftwich wasn't terrible as the Jaguars' starter; completing roughly 59 percent of his passes and compiling an 80.5 passer rating. He didn't have a great season last year in Atlanta, but he was also signed late and was still learning the offense. If he doesn't insist on being the starter, he might have potential as a back up.

Craig Nall - The Packers might sign Nall if he doesn't find another job and they are still without a quarterback heading into training camp. However, much like Quinn, he doesn't have much experience to judge him on and has as many starts (0) as Rodgers does.

Tim Rattay - Rattay would be an interesting option for the Packers. He's familiar with Head Coach Mike McCarthy's offense and does have some starting experience around the league. He would also be able to be signed at a bargain.

Jamie Martin - Like Frerotte, Martin has plenty of experience around the league as a backup and has a few starts under his belt. But, at 38, doesn't have much more to offer.

Aaron Brooks - While a long shot (given the fact he was out of the league last year), Brooks would give the Packers a player who played 5 seasons in Mike McCarthy's offense (when McCarthy was the Saints offensive coordinator). However, the team did work out Brooks about mid season last year and chose to sign Nall instead.

Of the list given, I would say Leftwich and Rattay would be the Packers' best bet at backup quarterback with possibly a flyer on Brooks, Nall or Dilfer (if he doesn't retire) as a third string player. I can't see the team giving up a draft pick to trade for a quarterback like J. P. Losman or Chad Pennington. But, the Packers might wait until after the draft to see if other veteran passers are released. Of course, by that time, they might find themselves with even less options.