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Sean Clifford

Quarterback · Penn State

A former Penn State captain and record-setting passer now serving as emergency quarterback depth back in his Cincinnati hometown.

Sean Clifford was the face of Penn State's offense for four seasons before the Green Bay Packers drafted him in 2023. After two years failing to crack Green Bay's active roster, he found a homecoming of sorts in 2025, signing with the Cincinnati Bengals, the team located in the city where he starred in high school.

★ Four-year starter and team captain at Penn State (2019-2022)

★ 10,661 career passing yards at Penn State

★ Fifth-round pick, 2023 NFL Draft (Green Bay Packers)

Path to the league

Clifford started at quarterback and served as team captain for Penn State from 2019 through 2022, finishing his college career with a 61.4 completion percentage, 10,661 passing yards, 86 passing touchdowns against 31 interceptions, plus 1,073 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. The Green Bay Packers drafted him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Career highlights

Clifford's college production ranks among the most prolific in Penn State history, anchored by his four-year run as the program's starter and captain. He attended St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, making his eventual signing with the Bengals a return to his football roots.

2025 season recap

After two seasons unable to make Green Bay's 53-man roster, Clifford signed with the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad in September 2025 and was waived that November before re-signing on a futures deal for 2026. Across his first three NFL seasons he has appeared in just two games, completing one pass for 37 yards, with his 2025 season spent almost entirely as practice squad depth.