Packers’ Sean Clifford reflects on rookie year, looks ahead: ‘We’ll be back next year with a vengeance’

COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. — Sean Clifford has experienced an intriguing journey to the NFL, one which led him to playing six years at Penn State and becoming the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (10,661) and passing touchdowns (86). Clifford’s tenure at Penn State paid off, as he was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft — despite having just one top-30 visit in a deep quarterback class.

Clifford earned the No. 2 quarterback job in Green Bay, helping Jordan Love emerge as one of the top young quarterbacks in the league. Winning the Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl at Penn State was a major accomplishment, but Clifford showcased in his rookie season with the Packers he belonged in the NFL and showed the potential he can stick around in Green Bay.

Although Clifford played just three games with the Packers in his rookie season (including the wild card playoff victory over the Dallas Cowboys), Green Bay’s No. 2 quarterback made the most of his opportunities in his rookie season and is primed to return to his role entering his second season.

As Clifford prepares for his second season in the NFL, CBS Sports caught up with the Packers quarterback and Penn State legend at the Collegeville Bakery. Clifford was visiting “The Bakery” for the first time and took a few minutes to discuss his first year in the NFL, Jordan Love, and the Packers’ 2023 season

“This pretty lady right here, my fiance Juliana Alessandroni (points to Juliana as she smiles), she lives 10 minutes down the road. She raves about this place and has been going here forever. I had to pop in, especially when I saw my name pop up on the board. I was pretty excited!

“When Julia and I actually got engaged. Steve (Collegeville Bakery owner Steve Carcarey), actually put both our names up on the board and tagged us on social media. It was so cool to see. I had to get over here.”

“Six years, it gets confusing right! It was a lot of fun. My first two years when I was playing behind Trace (former Penn State and current NFL quarterback Trace McSorley), just learning form him and really getting to understand the offense and how college football works.

“Then the minute I stepped into the starting role for the four years I was there. Lots of ups, lots of downs. I learned a lot, but was able to battle through adversity. It was a lot of fun.”

 “Honestly, at the beginning of the draft process I was unsure. I was like ‘Okay I might have a chance in the back rounds, like sixth or seventh — more seventh to undrafted. The closer I got to the draft, the more I realized I was making good impressions on coaches.

“When draft day hit, I knew my name wasn’t on the boards or anything. I personally did believe at that point I was (going to get drafted). I was in the conversations, I was in the rooms. The day of (the draft) I was getting calls on calls on calls from head coaches and general managers. I’m thinking ‘that’s gotta be a good sign.’