For Tolzien, 'it's a constant fight' to become Packers' backup QB
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Scott Tolzien certainly is familiar with having to earn his spot on a roster. It was that way in high school and continued into his college career at the University of Wisconsin, and it's been that way through his first four NFL seasons.
When the Green Bay Packers re-signed Tolzien this offseason to a $1.35 million contract and let Matt Flynn walk in free agency, it seemed the 27-year-old quarterback would finally know where he stood on the depth chart. That was before Brett Hundley slipped to the fifth round of the draft.
The Packers are invested in Tolzien, but their commitment runs deeper with Hundley. Green Bay didn't draft Hundley to replace Aaron Rodgers. Logically, the best-case scenario for the Packers is that Hundley develops well, shines in game action when an opportunity presents itself and is then traded for an early-round draft pick.
Tolzien has often defied the odds, though. As an undrafted player, making an NFL roster was a longshot, but he achieved that as a rookie with the San Francisco 49ers. With the Badgers in 2009, Tolzien worked his way past Curt Phillips and Dustin Sherer, both of whom were initially slated ahead of him.
"You always have to continue to get better or they'll bring in someone better and find someone to replace you," Tolzien said during Green Bay's organized team activities. "It's a constant fight."
Just to stay in that fight has meant making changes to his game. Fortunately for Tolzien, he was picked up in September 2013 by a Packers organization that has head coach Mike McCarthy, as well as Rodgers, to assist in the development of quarterbacks.
"I think some places it's just a given that whatever tools you have when you come in, that's what it's going to be," Tolzien said. "But here, they really try to continue to improve you, and I appreciate that. It's still a work in progress for me."
Tolzien noted how he's been throwing a football since he was eight years old. With nearly two decades of throwing experience behind him, he's always felt confident in his skillset and fundamentals. But that doesn't mean alterations aren't necessary.
"You always appreciate the coaching, especially when it comes from coach McCarthy or Aaron or these coaches," Tolzien said. "Their track record speaks for itself. There is so much merit behind everything that they're saying, and you want to embrace that and make the most of it."
Being on the same practice field and in the same classroom with Rodgers has made a big difference for Tolzien, too.
"There's a lot of reasons he's the best player on the planet -- no questions asked, especially when I'm around it every day to see the work he puts in," Tolzien said. "It's impressive, and it's a huge advantage for us as quarterbacks, from me to Matt (Blanchard) and Brett, to be able to watch that every day."
Over the past 21 months in which McCarthy has had to work with Tolzien, there have been plenty of subtle changes made.
"Specifically, you're always trying to get a rhythm with the routes, and then just things with ball carriage, weight distribution, a lot of different things," Tolzien said. "It gets complex, but it does make a difference."
McCarthy has long been a fan of Tolzien, whose off-the-field work ethic is a thing of legend. When Tolzien asked a Packers staffer for his iPad playbook this past offseason while still an unrestricted free agent, McCarthy responded, "Awesome. Tell him to sign his contract."
When not studying, Tolzien has worked towards getting closer and closer to the type of quarterback McCarthy wants him to be.
"I think Scott's made great strides," McCarthy said. "Scott is definitely one of the quarterbacks that I've seen over the years make big changes to his throwing motion, his fundamentals. You can see his footwork is intact, and now he's been able to tie all of that to his knowledge and understanding of the offense and getting timing with the players that he's been here with in the past and creating it now with the young players.
"I think Scott's off to an excellent start. It's no surprise, just the amount of work that he's put in. He's definitely done a great job of taking to the coaching, the techniques and the plan to his throwing motion. He's done a great job."
The first impression Tolzien made with Green Bay in 2013 carried a mixed reaction. As the No. 3 quarterback, it took not only an injury to Rodgers but also one to Seneca Wallace before Tolzien stepped on the field. In three games, Tolzien showed good arm strength and athleticism (don't forget the highlight-reel, spin-move rushing touchdown), but throwing five interceptions to just one touchdown was ultimately his undoing.
If Tolzien steps into important game action this upcoming season, he believes it won't look very similar to what was on display two years ago.
"It's a world of difference," Tolzien said. "There's so many layers to the offense that back then I was trying to learn the 101 version, and now I'm trying to learn a little bit more in-depth."
Tolzien has already begun the process of helping Hundley where he can. Being around the 21-year-old rookie out of UCLA was the first time Tolzien said it hit him that he's not "the young guy" anymore.
Too much quality knowledge passed along from Tolzien to Hundley could lead to his own No. 2 quarterback job being given away. But Tolzien firmly believes that "when you're explaining it to a young quarterback, you're learning it yourself."
So, regardless of the backup quarterback battle that will unfold throughout training camp in August, Tolzien will continue to fine-tune his own mechanics while also guiding Hundley along.
"It's not going to get me anywhere, it's not going to get our team anywhere if you're going to put the cold shoulder on a young guy," Tolzien said. "To me, that's not a very mature thing to do."
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