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Badgers In The NFL: Scott Tolzien Re-Signs With Green Bay Packers

By Jim Oxley

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Scott Tolzien is making a name for himself in Green Bay.

The former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback was recently re-signed to a one-year, $1.35 million contract with the club, and looks to be the team’s backup to Aaron Rodgers moving forward.

In signing Tolzien, the Packers will likely be moving on from backup Matt Flynn, who was second on the depth chart a season ago.

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That means in 2015, Scott Tolzien will be backing up the best quarterback in football.

As Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin reported earlier this week, Tolzien was hopeful at the end of the 2014 season that he would be able to return to the Packers, and that hope was fulfilled this week. Wilde reported that Tolzien had this to say following the Packers 2014 season-ending loss to the Seattle Seahawks:

"“I’d like to think that I was getting better each and every week. I feel good about that. I love it here. Great organization, great locker room. But I also know that as far as getting better, that’s an every-year thing. Now, that goes straight into this offseason and trying to get stronger and do anything I can to get better.”"

Tolzien has definitely gotten better, and he has a new contract to show for it.

Former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Scott Tolzien calls for a snap during a 2014 preseason match-up of the Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field. Jim Oxley photo

The $1.35 million investment and the fact that Tolzien is one hit away from taking the reins of one of the best teams in the NFL proves the trust that Green Bay places in the third year player, especially considering he didn’t take an in-game snap the entirety of the 2014 season.

Since joining the Packers just prior to the 2013 season, Tolzien has appeared in three games, starting two. His inexperience in the offense (he was signed at the end of the preseason) was evident, and in his three games he completed 55 of 90 attempts for 717 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions. He also ran in a touchdown against Minnesota.

He was eventually replaced by Flynn, but continued to grow in the Packers system and in the 2014 preseason, gave Flynn a run for his money. The Packers kept both on roster in 2014, but Flynn was the backup, and Tolzien was inactive for many games.

That didn’t stop Tolzien from continuing to push to get better, as Wilde reported Tolzien requested his playbook and iPad to watch film earlier this offseason. And as our friends over at Lombardiave.com wrote this week, Tolzien is highly regarded in Green Bay for his work ethic and for his desire to improve each and every day.

That’s not surprising, as Badgers fans remember a hard worker showing up in Madison years ago.

Former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Scott Tolzien tosses a pass during Green Bay Packers Training Camp in 2014. Jim Oxley photo

Tolzien had the starting gig for the Badgers for two seasons, and built an impressive resume. He was named the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Winner as a senior after completing 73 percent of his passes on his way to a 2,459 yard, 16 touchdown, 6 interception season.

He has the Wisconsin records with a .681 career completion percentage and 153.2 career quarterback efficiency rating (minimum 300 attempts).

Tolzien’s NFL career started as an undrafted free agent signee with the San Diego Chargers. He then spent time with the San Francisco 49ers from 2012-2013 before being cut in August of 2013 and joining the Packers September 1, 2013.

Entering his third season in Green Bay, Tolzien hopes to solidify his spot as the Packers back up. The one-year contract means the former Badger is in control of his own destiny, and a strong 2015 will go a long way when his contract is up next year.