Eager-to-learn Hundley: 'Hopefully I can be the next' great Packers QB
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Brett Hundley is well aware the Green Bay Packers didn't draft him to be their starting quarterback. For a player who expected to be off the board in the first couple rounds and have a shot at being on the field early in his career, Hundley could choose to frown upon the role he'll now have to play.
While Hundley still has the confidence of a quarterback who truly believes he could be a Day 1 starter, he's embracing what's in front of him. After all, there are far worse situations for a 21-year-old to be in than learning the intricacies of the NFL from Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy.
"It's the best offense and the best place to learn and be a quarterback, for sure," Hundley said.
Rodgers is a two-time MVP now, but Hundley was quick to mention how his new mentor sat and learned for three years behind Brett Favre. That turned out quite well. He also noted how Tom Brady waited a year behind Drew Bledsoe in New England.
"You see a lot of times a lot of quarterbacks come in and it's almost like a redshirt year in college, and it helps a lot," Hundley said. "(Rodgers and Brady), they sat for a little bit before getting thrown into the fire. They get some time to learn an offense, understand the game, get adjusted to it and then they step in and show what they can do."
If Hundley's career turns out as well as Rodgers' and Brady's, not being a rookie starter is certainly not likely to bother him.
But it will motivate him. The chip on Rodgers' shoulder is well-known after he fell to No. 24 overall in 2005. In 2000, Brady had to wait all the way until the 199th pick, in the sixth round.
Hundley left a year of college eligibility on the table just to watch as five quarterbacks and 146 total players heard their names called before him.
"I'll always remember that; I'll always remember Pick 147," Hundley said. "But at the same time I know that I can play and I have a lot of confidence in my ability. I know I can play with the best of them. Now, Aaron, he's an awesome quarterback. I've got awhile to get to that."
McCarthy's early impressions of Hundley were good. During rookie orientation camp, Hundley was one of only two quarterbacks on the field (the other being tryout-player Blake Sims, who was not signed). Hundley's build and athleticism are undeniable, especially in a setting in which players aren't wearing pads. But that wasn't what stood out to McCarthy the most.
"I thought he threw the ball well, particularly anticipation," McCarthy said. "Any time you watch a quarterback come in Day 1 with all new receivers, new cadence, new center, particularly working on under center exclusively with a new center, I thought he had some throws that he threw on anticipation, (and) that's always encouraging. But there's always a lot to learn, particularly at that position."
Prior to the beginning of rookie camp, Hundley had yet to meet Rodgers. By now, the two have become at least somewhat acquainted.
As they spend more and more time around each other, Hundley is hoping that just being in the presence of Rodgers will rub off on him.
"I think when you're around greatness, you keep growing and eventually, hopefully, I can get to his level," Hundley said.
If the Packers have their way, Hundley won't play any meaningful snaps as a rookie. The same is true in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 seasons. It would mean Rodgers had suffered an injury. Plus, before Hundley can step in for Rodgers, he first would have to beat out Scott Tolzien, who signed a one-year, $1.35 million contract this offseason.
Hundley's obvious acceptance of having to be a backup quickly became the source for comedy in Green Bay.
"You guys asked me last time if each draft pick has a chance to start; this one probably doesn't," director of player personnel Eliot Wolf quipped as he approached the podium soon after the team selected Hundley.
Hundley understands all of that.
"He's the MVP, an all-time great quarterback and one that I really looked up to coming out of college," Hundley said. "So to be able to learn from him -- he's playing, and obviously it's impossible to beat him out."
However, Hundley isn't allowing that lack of pressure or expectations to change his mindset.
"Always, every quarterback's motto should be 'I'm a snap away from playing,' or 'I expect to play,'" he said. "And obviously we have Aaron Rodgers, the greatest quarterback playing right now. You've got to learn from him, but at the same time you've got to be ready to step on the field and play."
This isn't the first chapter that Hundley expected to be writing in his NFL career. He didn't depart from UCLA thinking he'd be stuck behind an in-his-prime reigning league MVP. But Hundley has no regrets about his decision to be an early entrant to the draft, and he's taking the challenges presented to him head-on.
"If I would've went to a team in the first two rounds, or something like that, that needed a quarterback, and I would've gotten thrown into the fire, maybe my story wouldn't have been what it's going to be now," Hundley said. "I get a year or two, or if something happens and I'm playing here, whatever happens, happens, and you've just got to play."
Hundley added, "This is the best football team in America. This is the bed of quarterbacks. A lot of great quarterbacks have come out of Green Bay, and hopefully I can be the next."
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