Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Michael Pratt signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad on Thursday.
The Packers selected Pratt in the seventh round of the 2024 draft but released him after final cuts Tuesday. Instead of keeping Pratt on the practice squad, the Packers tapped second-year quarterback Sean Clifford as the No. 3 pick behind starter Jordan Love and rookie Malik Willis.
Pratt completed 22 of 35 passes for 178 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His best passes included a 23-yard pass to Julian Hicks in the preseason opener and an 18-yard pass to Bo Melton in the preseason finale.
But when neither Clifford nor Pratt proved capable of being Love’s top backup this summer, the Packers had to make a move — and sending a seventh-round pick to the Titans for Willis was exactly what they did. Clifford, who was Love’s backup last season, made more sense as a practice squad option given his experience on offense.
Pratt has never looked ready to play as a substitute, and he threw a terrible interception in the final preseason game.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said the team considered keeping Pratt as the fourth quarterback but ultimately decided to go with just three given the logistics of acquiring Willis, who will need time to fully integrate into the Packers’ offense.
Gutekunst said he thinks Pratt has a “bright future” in the NFL.
In Tampa Bay, Pratt will replace John Wolford as the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Baker Mayfield and backup Kyle Trask. He will also be reunited with Royce Newman, who was acquired on waivers by the Buccaneers on Wednesday.
