The Green Bay Packers made a roster move on Thursday, waiving quarterback Joe Callahan to clear a roster space. The Packers can activate defensive lineman Mike Pennel from the suspended list. If they don’t do that, they might also add a running back due to Eddie Lacy and James Starks both dealing with injuries.
Packers fans expect the team to sign Callahan back to the practice squad, but because he is not a vested veteran, Callahan must clear waivers. All 31 other teams can claim him if they are so inclined, with waiver based on reverse order of record.
Would the 49ers want to take a flier on a rookie QB? Callahan impressed in the preseason after getting extended playing time when Brett Hundley got hurt. He has the many tools needed to play quarterback, but obviously it’s way too early to tell how they translate at the pro level. He played at Division III Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, and while he put up monster numbers (5,063 yards, 55 touchdowns his senior season), the low level label remains.
I don’t actually expect the 49ers to claim him, but it’s an interesting story. I do think the 49ers need to find prospects at the quarterback position, be it now or next year in the draft. But one issue is the 49ers current QB situation. Blaine Gabbert has been benched for Colin Kaepernick. If Kaepernick struggles to get the offense going over the next five games (the number Gabbert got), would the team make a switch to another quarterback? Christian Ponder is the No. 3 right now. If the team is sitting at 1-9 or 2-8, would there be any value in playing Ponder at that point? I’m not entirely sure what the plan would be in that case.
The 49ers might like to sign a guy like Callahan to their practice squad, but if Callahan clears waivers, it seems like he would end up back on the Packers practice squad.