If there was such a thing as a quarterback whisperer, Tom Clements would certainly own that title.
After a career of his own that saw him win a national championship as starting quarterback of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 1973, Clements became a well-known quarterbacks coach. Starting at his alma mater in 1992, he worked his way into the NFL in 1997 and never looked back.
His resume boasts stints with many teams, but he made his name with the Green Bay Packers where he tutored Brett Favre in his later years and helped Aaron Rodgers become a MVP quarterback and Super Bowl winner.
That would be enough of a resume to send Clements to the quarterbacks coach Hall of Fame, but after a few years away from Green Bay, head coach Matt LaFleur gave the Packers’ secret weapon a call again last season to help him get Jordan Love up to speed.
It was a rough start, but Clements worked his magic again for the Packers. Something clicked for Love about midway through the season and he ended his first campaign as the starter in Green Bay as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, throwing for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.
Love became a star before our eyes, but it was Clements who was behind the scenes tinkering and toiling like he did with Rodgers and Favre before Love.
The good news for both the Packers and Love? Despite the fact that he’s heading into his 71st year on earth, LaFleur said earlier this week that Clements will return to coach Love and Green Bay’s quarterbacks for another season.
Could he be the Packers’ secret weapon as Green Bay looks to build off its offensive success from 2023? Could he be the key person who takes Love from star to superstar in his second full season in LaFleur’s offense?
If Clements’ resume is any indication, it’s a safe bet Love will continue to thrive. The quarterback whisperer whispers on.