Sean 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 and was the team’s starting quarterback and captain from 2019 through 2022. Clifford was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft and has since played in the NFL, currently with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Standing 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and weighing 218 lb (99 kg), Clifford is recognized for his experience, leadership, and accuracy at the quarterback position. Over his career, he has developed into a reliable professional signal-caller with both starting and reserve experience at the highest level of American football.
Early Life and Background
Sean Burke Clifford was born on July 14, 1998, in Barrington, Illinois, United States. He grew up in a supportive household that nurtured his early interest in athletics, eventually relocating to the Cincinnati area where he attended St. Xavier High School. At St. Xavier, he developed into a standout quarterback, balancing academics with year-round training.
During his high school career, Clifford passed for 4,004 yards and 30 touchdowns, while also setting a school record with 1,100 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns as a quarterback. In his senior season, he led the Bombers to a Division I State Championship, cementing his reputation as one of the top quarterback prospects in the region. His performance earned him recognition and set the stage for a college commitment.
Following high school graduation in 2017, Clifford committed to Penn State University to play college football. He joined a program known for producing NFL-caliber quarterbacks and looked forward to the challenge of competing in one of the nation’s most competitive conferences.
Path to American Football
Clifford’s path to professional football began in earnest when he enrolled at Penn State in 2017. After redshirting his first year, he spent the 2018 season as Trace McSorley’s backup. In that role, he appeared in four games, completing five of seven passes for 195 yards with two touchdowns, offering an early glimpse of his arm talent and poise.
Named the starting quarterback in 2019, Clifford quickly established himself as a steady leader under center. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition from both the coaches and the media and was also named an Academic All-Big Ten honoree, reflecting his performance both on the field and in the classroom.
The 2020 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Clifford play in all nine contests. He completed 152 of 251 passes for 1,883 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while again earning Academic All-Big Ten honors. During that same year, he completed a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations, further demonstrating his commitment to academic excellence.
Sean Clifford Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Clifford’s first season as Penn State’s starter in 2019 showcased his ability to manage the offense and lead the Nittany Lions through a competitive schedule. His combination of passing accuracy and rushing threat made him a dual-threat weapon, and his early academic honors signaled the discipline he would carry into his professional career.
The 2020 pandemic-shortened season provided Clifford with valuable experience operating in a variety of game scripts. He finished the year with 1,883 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, while also continuing to contribute with his legs. By the end of his sophomore campaign, he had clearly established himself as Penn State’s franchise quarterback.
Penn State Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Clifford’s 2021 season marked a major step forward. He started all 13 games, completing 261 of 429 passes for 3,107 yards with 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His performance earned him a place in the 2021 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, a first-team Senior CLASS Award selection, and Penn State’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. He also received the team’s Public Service and Lion’s Pride Outstanding Senior Player Awards.
In 2022, Clifford started all 13 games once again, completing 226 of 351 passes for 2,822 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week twice during the season, following wins over Purdue on September 1 and Minnesota on October 22. At year’s end, he was honored as the 2022 Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year.
During the 2023 Rose Bowl, Clifford threw an 88-yard touchdown pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith that became the longest passing play in Rose Bowl game history. That throw served as the crowning highlight of his Penn State career and underscored his ability to deliver in marquee moments on one of college football’s biggest stages.
Green Bay Packers Era (2023–2024)
Clifford was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round with the 149th overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft. He signed his rookie contract on May 5, 2023, and joined a quarterback room led by Jordan Love. Clifford made his NFL debut on September 10, 2023, relieving Love in the closing minutes of a 38–20 win over the Chicago Bears, rushing once for no gain and attempting no passes.
His first NFL pass came on December 31, 2023, when he completed a 37-yard completion to Bo Melton during a 33–10 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Clifford was released on August 27, 2024, and quickly re-signed to the practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster for Weeks 2 and 3 of the 2024 season, and on January 11, 2025, he was signed back to the Packers’ active roster. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2025–Present)
On September 16, 2025, Clifford was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad following an injury to starting quarterback Joe Burrow. He continued to develop and prepare behind the scenes before being elevated to the active roster on October 31, 2025, after an injury to Joe Flacco. Clifford was waived on November 24 and re-signed to the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract on January 5, 2026, securing his place with the organization moving forward.
Driving Style and Strengths
Clifford is known for his accuracy, composure, and quick decision-making at the quarterback position. He demonstrated an ability to operate efficiently in high-pressure situations throughout his college career, and his professional experience has added further refinement to his pre-snap reads and passing mechanics. His combination of mobility and arm strength allows him to attack all areas of the field.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Clifford’s career came during the 2023 Rose Bowl, when his 88-yard touchdown pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith set the record for the longest passing play in Rose Bowl game history. He also became Penn State’s all-time leader in several passing categories, and his 2022 Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year award recognized him as one of the top performers in college football that season.
Sean Clifford Career Wins
Sean Clifford has accumulated notable victories at both the college and professional levels. At Penn State, he led the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten Championship and multiple bowl appearances, while in the NFL he has contributed to wins as a reserve and practice squad member for the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals.
College Highlights
Clifford’s college career included a senior-season Division I State Championship at St. Xavier High School, along with four seasons as Penn State’s starting quarterback. He guided the Nittany Lions to consistent winning records and earned multiple conference and national awards along the way.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his team achievements, Clifford earned individual recognition such as Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors in 2022 and the Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year award. His academic accolades, including the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class selection and Senior CLASS Award first-team honors, further reflect his well-rounded success.
Sean Clifford Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Sean Clifford comes from a family that supported his athletic ambitions from an early age. His brother, Liam Clifford, also played football at Penn State, and together the siblings co-founded the student-athlete NIL agency Limitless NIL in 2022.
Personal Life
Limitless NIL was created to help student-athletes secure name, image, and likeness deals and ultimately signed agreements totaling more than $250,000 with over 50 companies before being sold to TEAM Group Holdings Inc. in 2023. Outside of football and business, Clifford has prioritized academics, completing his bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations from Penn State in 2020.
2025 Season Performance
Sean Clifford’s 2025 season began with the Green Bay Packers, where he was released as part of final roster cuts on August 26. He quickly found a new opportunity with the Cincinnati Bengals, joining the practice squad on September 16 after Joe Burrow’s injury. Clifford continued to develop and waited for his chance to contribute at the NFL level.
That opportunity arrived on October 31, when Clifford was elevated to the active roster following an injury to Joe Flacco. Although he was later waived on November 24 and re-signed to the practice squad, his promotion demonstrated the organization’s confidence in his readiness. He ultimately signed a reserve/future contract with the Bengals on January 5, 2026, securing his spot with the team beyond the 2025 season.
Looking ahead, Clifford enters the next phase of his NFL career as a developmental quarterback with starting experience and a track record of leadership. His combination of on-field skill, academic achievement, and business acumen positions him well for continued growth within the Bengals’ quarterback room.