Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien is getting his first shot at an NFL coaching job with Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys.
Tolzien, the former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback who spent three years as a quarterback in Green Bay, joined McCarthy’s first staff in Dallas as a coaching assistant. He spent last season as an opponent analyst for Paul Chryst and the Badgers football program.
McCarthy and the Packers originally signed Tolzien to the practice squad on Sept. 1, 2013. He was promoted to the active roster after Aaron Rodgers’ collarbone injury and eventually played in three games with two starts, completing 55 of 90 passes for 717 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions. He also ran for a touchdown.
Tolzien served as the backup behind Rodgers the next two seasons. He left Green Bay in free agency following the 2015 season and spent his final two seasons in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, backing up Andrew Luck.
Rodgers often mentions Tolzien among his favorite backups. His intelligence and work ethic endeared him to both Rodgers and McCarthy, who will now bring him to Dallas to help install the offense and create a new culture with the Cowboys.
Tolzien is one of several former Packers to join McCarthy’s staff. Others include Rob Davis, Joe Philbin, Jeff Blasko, Scott McCurley and Al Harris.
