Green Bay Packers sign USFL MVP Alex McGough
Alex McGough, the sensational MVP of the USFL, is signing with the Packers following a Tuesday morning workout in Green Bay.
McGough will add depth to the Packers quarterback position. And he’ll also give the quarterback room a bit of swag. Because Alex McGough knows how to win championships, albeit on a smaller stage. Earlier this summer, he led the Birmingham Stallions to its second straight USFL title.
The Packers also will be McGough’s fourth NFL team. Aaron Wilson, a Houston TV reporter, covered McGough when he played for the Texans. Wilson confirmed the signing. So did a reporter who covers the Tampa Bay Bucs. McGough grew up in Tampa.
The Packers are in the last few days of no football. Quarterbacks, rookies and players still on the injury list check in for camp this Friday. Packer vets report next Tuesday, with first preseason practice, Wednesday. The first preseason game is Aug. 11 against the Bengals.
One main focus of training camp will be getting Jordan Love ready to take over at starting quarterback now that Aaron Rodgers is with the Jets. And Alex McGough can help Love do that.
The Packers selected Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. That decision by the Packers to pick the Utah State star rubbed Rodgers the wrong way. He didn’t like that Green Bay already had drafted his replacement, although there was no timeline for Rodgers to leave for another team or retire.
Love played in four games in 2022, completing 14 of his 21 pass attempts for 195 yards. Overall, in his three seasons spent as Rodgers’ backup, Love played in 10 games. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 606 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Meanwhile, Love needs backups. The team also has Sean Clifford, the former Penn State star who was their fifth-round pick in April. And Green Bay also has journeyman Danny Etling on the depth chart.
So who is Alex McGough? He played for Florida International. And in 2017, he led his team to a bowl berth for the first time in six years. Unfortunately, McGough broke his collar bone in the bowl game.
The Seahawks selected McGough in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s been apart of the practice squad for the Seahawks (twice), and the Texans. He signed with the Jaguars, but was released.