Around The League's recent backup quarterback rankings listed Scott Tolzien ahead of Matt Flynn as the Green Bay Packers' No. 2 signal-caller.
Although conventional wisdom suggests Flynn is locked in as Aaron Rodgers' caddie after the Packers were forced to turn to him last season, he was outplayed by Tolzien in the preseason opener.
"I think it's up in the air right now," quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt said Wednesday, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "It's in a competition. That's healthy for everybody."
Flynn took over for Tolzien last November because the younger quarterback didn't have a firm handle on Mike McCarthy's offense. It's a different story eight months later.
"Scotty's now had an offseason working in the system," Van Pelt explained. "He understands the footwork and the timing and the progressions and the routes, so he's coming on."
Flynn struggled to move the offense last season outside of prevent-defense situations. He didn't trust his arm in the preseason opener, twice checking down for dumpoff passes on play-action fakes. Tolzien will pull the trigger on throws Flynn won't even acknowledge as possible.
If Tolzien emerges victorious in this battle, the question is whether the Packers will cut Flynn loose. Per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, Flynn received just $75,000 in guarantees on his one-year, $968,125 contract.
My colleague, Gregg Rosenthal, is convinced Flynn will be on the opening-day roster. I remain skeptical.
*The latest "Around the League Podcast" broke down the biggest position battles and ranked the best backup QBs in the league. *
