Reuters

So why aren’t the Packers saying anything about quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose collarbone injury likely has only one of two diagnoses, broken or not broken?

If they plan to find a quarterback, it’s easier and cheaper if no one knows exactly how bad Rodgers is hurt.

A week ago, it would have been even more important to be coy, given that the trade window was still open. Now, the team’s only ability to fill the position comes from free agency and the waiver wire.

Speaking of the waiver wire, a guy who knows the offense well enough to set the franchise record for passing yardage in Week 17 of the 2011 season currently is on it. And if another team higher in the priority than the Packers simply wants to throw a wrench in the gears by making a claim before 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, all that team has to do is make a claim for Matt Flynn’s contract.

Coincidentally, the Bills cut Flynn on Monday.

A waivers claim can be made for any reason — including spite. That’s what former Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer did 11 years ago, when Deion Sanders hoped to unretire from the Redskins and join the Raiders for a playoff run.

Free-agent options include Vince Young, who was in camp with the Packers, and Tim Tebow, whose name has been mentioned in the past as a potential Packers backup quarterback. Unlike most teams, the Packers seem to be well positioned to absorb the distractions that would come from signing either guy.

It would have been better if the Packers had been well positioned to replace their franchise quarterback on the fly. With all due respect to Seneca Wallace (i.e., here comes the insult), but a guy who was cut by the Saints and 49ers and picked up just before the start of the season isn’t the answer, if Rodgers will be out for a while.