Sean Burke Clifford Bio
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 from 2017 through 2022, serving as the starting quarterback and team captain from 2019 to 2022. Clifford was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 149th overall pick. He joined the Bengals organization in 2025 and signed a reserve/future contract with Cincinnati in January 2026. Clifford is perhaps best known for setting the Rose Bowl game record for the longest passing play in history with an 88-yard touchdown pass during the 2023 edition of the bowl game.
Early Life and Background
Sean Burke Clifford was born on July 14, 1998, in Barrington, Illinois, United States. He grew up in the greater Cincinnati area, where he attended St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Clifford graduated from St. Xavier in 2017, completing his secondary education with an impressive athletic resume. During his high school career, he demonstrated dual-threat ability as a quarterback, passing for 4,004 yards and 30 touchdowns while also rushing for a school record 1,100 yards and 20 touchdowns. His senior season proved particularly memorable when he led the St. Xavier Bombers to a Division 1 State Championship, cementing his status as one of the top quarterback prospects in the region.
Following his standout high school career, Clifford committed to play college football at Penn State University. His performance at the high school level showcased the combination of arm talent and mobility that would define his playing style throughout his collegiate career and eventual transition to professional football.
Path to American Football
Clifford arrived at Penn State University in 2017 and immediately began his collegiate career. He redshirted during his freshman season, using that year to develop physically and learn the offensive system under the guidance of the coaching staff. The 2018 season saw Clifford serve as the primary backup to starting quarterback Trace McSorley, appearing in four games and completing 5 of 7 pass attempts for 195 yards with two touchdowns. This limited action provided valuable experience in live game situations while continuing his development as a future starter.
Prior to the 2019 season, Clifford was named the starting quarterback for the Nittany Lions. He embraced the role of leading a major college football program, balancing the pressures of Big Ten competition with academic excellence. His performance earned him All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition from both coaches and media voters, and he was named an Academic All-Big Ten honoree, demonstrating his ability to succeed both on and off the field. This combination of athletic achievement and academic dedication would become a hallmark of his college career.
Sean Burke Clifford Career
College Career at Penn State (2017–2022)
Sean Clifford served as Penn State’s starting quarterback from 2019 through 2022, guiding the Nittany Lions through four seasons of Big Ten Conference play. The 2020 season presented unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Clifford started all nine games of the shortened campaign. He completed 152 of 251 pass attempts for 1,883 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions, maintaining his reputation as a reliable starter while navigating extraordinary circumstances. His academic commitment remained strong, earning another Academic All-Big Ten selection and completing his bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations following the fall 2020 semester.
The 2021 season saw Clifford start all 13 games, delivering one of his most productive statistical years. He finished 261 of 429 passing attempts for 3,107 yards with 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His leadership and community involvement earned widespread recognition, including placement in the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, selection to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, and a spot on the Senior CLASS Award first team. He repeated his All-Big Ten honorable mention honor, earned the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award for Penn State, and received the team’s Public Service and Lion’s Pride Outstanding Senior Player Awards.
Record-Breaking 2022 Season
Clifford’s senior season in 2022 proved to be a career-defining year. He started all 13 games and completed 226 of 351 passes for 2,822 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His efficiency marked significant improvement, particularly in his touchdown-to-interception ratio. The highlight of his collegiate career came during the 2023 Rose Bowl, where his 88-yard touchdown pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith became the longest passing play in Rose Bowl game history, a remarkable achievement on one of college football’s biggest stages. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week twice during the season (against Purdue on September 1 and Minnesota on October 22) and was honored as the 2022 Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year, recognizing him as the top regional player in his conference.
Green Bay Packers (2023–2025)
Clifford entered the 2023 NFL Draft and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round with the 149th overall pick. He signed his rookie contract on May 5, 2023, officially beginning his professional career. He made his NFL debut on September 10, 2023, relieving starting quarterback Jordan Love in the closing minutes of a 38-20 victory against the Chicago Bears. He attempted no passes and rushed once for no gain in his debut appearance. His first NFL completion came on December 31, when he connected with Bo Melton on a 37-yard pass during a 33-10 win against the Minnesota Vikings, a moment that represented a significant milestone in his professional development.
Clifford was released by the Packers on August 27, 2024, before being re-signed to the practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster for Weeks 2 and 3 of the 2024 season before signing to the Packers’ active roster on January 11, 2025. However, he was released on August 26, 2025, as part of the Packers’ final roster cuts, ending his tenure with the organization.
Cincinnati Bengals (2025–Present)
On September 16, 2025, Clifford was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad following an injury to starting quarterback Joe Burrow. He was signed from the practice squad to the active roster on October 31, 2025, after Joe Flacco suffered an injury. He was waived on November 24 and re-signed to the practice squad, demonstrating his value as a veteran backup option in the Bengals’ quarterback room. Clifford signed a reserve/future contract with Cincinnati on January 5, 2026, securing his place with the organization for the foreseeable future.
Quarterback Style and Strengths
Clifford’s playing style combines solid arm talent with functional mobility, allowing him to extend plays and make throws on the move. His collegiate career demonstrated consistent improvement in reading defenses and making quick decisions, particularly evident in his reduced interception totals during his senior season. He has shown the ability to operate in the pocket while also posing a rushing threat when necessary, giving offensive coordinators flexibility in play design. His experience as a four-year starter at Penn State, one of college football’s premier programs, provided him with extensive experience in high-pressure game situations and big-game environments.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining moment of Clifford’s career thus far remains his record-setting 88-yard touchdown pass during the 2023 Rose Bowl, which established a new standard for the historic bowl game’s passing plays. That single throw placed his name in Rose Bowl history and underscored his ability to make big plays in championship-level competition. His selection as Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year in 2022 recognized him as the top player in his region, validating his four years of consistent excellence at Penn State.
Sean Burke Clifford Career Statistics
Throughout his professional career with the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals, Clifford has appeared in limited game action, serving primarily as a backup quarterback. His collegiate career at Penn State spanned six seasons, with four as the starting quarterback, compiling thousands of passing yards and numerous touchdowns against Big Ten Conference competition.
Professional Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Clifford has appeared in multiple games with the Packers and Bengals organizations. He has completed 1 of 1 career pass attempts for 37 yards, resulting in a perfect 100.0 completion percentage and a 118.7 passer rating. These limited statistics reflect his role as a developmental backup rather than a starting quarterback at the professional level.
College Career Statistics
Over four seasons as Penn State’s starting quarterback from 2019 to 2022, Clifford started 48 total games. His 2021 season featured his most prolific passing performance with 3,107 yards, while his 2022 season showed his best efficiency with 24 touchdowns against only seven interceptions. His career completion percentage improved each season, demonstrating his development as a pocket passer.
Limitless NIL Agency
Away from the football field, Clifford demonstrated entrepreneurial initiative. In 2022, he co-founded the student-athlete NIL agency Limitless NIL with his brother Liam Clifford. The agency quickly gained traction, with Limitless athletes signing deals accumulating over $250,000 with more than 50 partner companies. The success of the venture was recognized when Limitless NIL was acquired by TEAM Group Holdings Inc. in 2023, validating the business model Clifford and his brother had built to help student-athletes navigate the emerging NIL landscape.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Clifford as he joined the Cincinnati Bengals organization mid-season. Signed to the practice squad on September 16 following Joe Burrow’s injury, Clifford waited for his opportunity as the backup quarterback behind the veteran Joe Flacco. When Flacco suffered an injury later in the season, Clifford was elevated to the active roster on October 31, providing him his first extended look within the Bengals’ system. His ability to step in and perform when called upon demonstrated the readiness that comes from years of experience as a starter at the collegiate level. He was waived on November 24 and returned to the practice squad, but his performance and professionalism throughout the turbulence impressed the coaching staff. The Bengals’ decision to sign him to a reserve/future contract on January 5, 2026, indicated their belief in his long-term value to the organization as they continue developing their quarterback depth chart.