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Packers Rookie QuarterBack opens up on Stunning Position Change

Green Bay, WI — This Packers training camp features an unusual storyline: Taylor Elgersma, the quarterback who led Wilfrid Laurier in college, is being tested as a wide receiver/slot on the practice field. With a compact frame, short-area quickness, and a quarterback’s spatial awareness, Elgersma has become a rare “position-switch project” in Green Bay for 2025. (Elgersma is a rookie signed by the Packers as a UDFA after the 2025 Draft.)

In a brief post-practice conversation, Elgersma spoke candidly about accepting a new role at the professional level—exactly what he had long anticipated:

“I’ve had that perception that if I was going to go to the next level, I was going to be used in a unique way. I wasn’t going to be a clear-cut quarterback, but I didn’t know if I was going to be a receiver, I had no idea what it was going to be.”

His college background gives Elgersma a base in coverage recognition, timing, and pre-snap communication; in Green Bay, he’s learning the new curriculum: releasing from stack/bunch, using stems to open a cornerback’s hips, and finishing catches in traffic. The staff has pushed him into slot drills, special-teams reps, and a few gadget snaps, carrying over his QB processing for motion/jet looks and micro-RPOs.

The position change hasn’t shaken the rookie’s confidence; instead, Elgersma views it as a chance to contribute in every phase:

“I just had an open mind and an open heart. It’s just whatever the will is of God and whatever I can do to help this team out.”

The competition context is fierce: the Packers have reinforced the pass-catcher room with Matthew Golden (Round 1) and Savion Williams (Round 3), widening the battle lines at receiver. That forces every rookie—Elgersma included—to create an edge through versatility and specific tactical value, not just measurables.

The path from college QB to NFL WR is always a work in progress. But with a quarterback’s processing, the positional flexibility Matt LaFleur prizes, and a public commitment to “do whatever helps the team,” Elgersma is one of Green Bay’s most intriguing camp names. If he can carve out a steady role on special teams and in red-zone/gadget packages, the Packers may be nurturing a true UDFA gem.

Packers host Shilo Sanders for a visit one month after he nearly walked away from football 
Green Bay, WI — October 7, 2025. Responding to a need for added depth in the secondary and on special teams, the Green Bay Packers are staging a visit/workout with Shilo Sanders — the 24-year-old defensive back known for versatility and a gritty playing style. The meeting takes place one month after Shilo publicly acknowledged he had considered stepping away from football. Shilo’s schedule at the club’s facilities (Lambeau Field/Don Hutson Center) includes a quick conditioning/medical check, interviews with the defensive coaching staff, a session with the special teams coordinator about potential roles (gunner/jammer, personal protector), and classroom work on installs, route recognition, and assignment rules. During a brief media availability, Shilo shared a mix of emotion and professional resolve: “I once missed the chance to come to the Packers — and that stayed with me. Coming back here today, I want to show I’ve grown and I’m ready. The Packers are a first-class organization; they’ve engaged me with respect and a clearly defined role. If I get the opportunity, I’ll repay it with discipline, a team-first mindset, and everything I’ve got.” From a football standpoint, the Packers view Shilo as a fit for nickel/dime packages that emphasize speed and safety-to-slot flexibility, with immediate value on special teams. Boxes to check include stamina after prior injuries, secure open-field tackling, and processing of complex route concepts (banjo/switch, stack-bunch) against high-tempo offenses. If he clears internal benchmarks, contract pathways could include a practice-squad deal (with a promotion plan) or a short-term contract through season’s end with snap-based incentives on special teams/defense. A decision window of 48–72 hours after the workout would align with weekly roster deadlines. Team sources say the staff wants to see two things from Shilo: (1) consistent pre-/post-snap communication, especially versus frequent motions and shifts; and (2) strong run-fit leverage and angles when supporting the run. “If he hits those marks, he can help immediately on ST and gradually earn dime snaps,” one staffer noted. For Shilo, this “return visit” to Green Bay would mean more than another tryout — it would be a self-affirmation after a wobbly stretch. Even if it doesn’t end in a long-term deal, proving his value in front of an organization with the Packers’ standards could open other NFL doors. For Green Bay, it’s a low-cost, low-risk move with potentially high special-teams payoff, consistent with the club’s approach to midseason depth additions.