Sean Clifford

Sean Burke Clifford (born July 14, 1998) is an American professional football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions. He was the starting quarterback and team captain for the Nittany Lions from 2019 through 2022.

Early life Clifford graduated from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati in 2017. During his high school tenure, he passed for 4,004 yards and 30 touchdowns with a school record 1,100 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns as a quarterback. In his senior season he led the Bombers to a Division 1 State Championship. Clifford committed to Penn State University to play college football.

College career After redshirting his first year at Penn State in 2017, Clifford spent 2018 as Trace McSorley's backup. He appeared in four games, completing five of seven passes for 195 yards with two touchdowns. thumb Clifford was named the starting quarterback in 2019. He was selected All-Big Ten honorable mention by the coaches and media, and named an Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week twice (Purdue September 1, 2022; Minnesota October 22, 2022).

College statistics

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

Clifford was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round with the 149th pick of the 2023 NFL draft. He signed his rookie contract on May 5, 2023.

He made his NFL debut on September 10, 2023, relieving Jordan Love in the closing minutes of a 38–20 win against the Chicago Bears; he attempted no passes and rushed the ball once for no gain. He did not see the field again until December 31, when he completed his first NFL pass attempt, a 37–yarder to Bo Melton, during a 33–10 win against the Minnesota Vikings.

Clifford was released on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster for Weeks 2 and 3 in September 2024. Clifford was signed by the Packers to the active roster on January 11, 2025.

On August 26, 2025, Clifford was released by the Packers as part of final roster cuts.

Cincinnati Bengals On September 16, 2025, Clifford was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad as a result of an injury to Bengals starting quarterback Joe Burrow. On October 31, Clifford was signed from the practice squad to the active roster as a result of an injury suffered by Joe Flacco. He was waived on November 24, and re-signed to the practice squad.

Clifford signed a reserve/future contract with Cincinnati on January 5, 2026. On August 30, 2026, Clifford was waived by the Bengals as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.

NFL career statistics Regular season Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles 2023 GB 2 0 — 1 1 100.0 37 37.0 37 0 0 118.7 3 −2 −0.7 0 0 0 0 1 0 2024 GB 0 0 — 2025 CIN 0 0 — Career 2 0 — 1 1 100.0 37 37.0 37 0 0 118.7 3 −2 −0.7 0 0 0 0 1 0

Postseason Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles 2023 GB 1 0 — 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0 2024 GB 0 0 — Career 0 0 — 0 0 0.0 0 — 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0

Business ventures In 2022, Sean and Liam Clifford founded the student-athlete NIL agency, Limitless NIL. Limitless athletes have signed deals accumulating over $250,000 with over 50 companies. Limitless NIL was sold to TEAM Group Holdings inc. in 2023.