Scott Tolzien Stays with Packers, Receives Raise

It's still too early to know whether former Wisconsin Badger Scott Tolzien might be the backup quarterback of the future in Green Bay. However, it appears the Packers want to give him a chance, and they're saying it with their wallet.

According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the team has raised Tolzien's salary to $544,999.

Tolzien has spent the entire regular season on the Packers' practice squad after competing for a backup spot on the 49ers 53 in the preseason. According to Silverstein's report, the reason for the extra money was to retain Tolzien's services after the Browns made a push to sign him.

This is a typical practice for NFL teams hoping to develop young prospects. Back in 2011, the Packers gave significant raises to practice squad players Tori Gurley and Diondre Borel to keep them from leaving for a spot on a 53. These pay increases brought the players in line with what they would have made with their suitors.

Prior to his pay bump, Tolzien earned only $6,000 per week, typical for the practice squad. While many of us would gladly accept that paycheck, it placed him far below the league minimum for players on the 53. Once offered the extra cash, those in Tolzien's position have to decide which team offers the better long-term opportunity. In this case, Tolzien decided that he was better off in the long term in Green Bay than in Cleveland.