[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwa53mtds520q2 player_id=none image=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
The Kansas City Chiefs, along with the rest of the sports world, were surprised by the news of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers being ruled out this Sunday. Rodgers was placed in league health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19. Being unvaccinated made him ineligible to suit up for the Packers as they visit Arrowhead Stadium.
The Packers will be starting second-year quarterback Jordan Love in Rodgers’ place, and that brings a new set of concerns for The Chiefs since there isn’t much professional tape on Love. The 2020 first-round pick is expected to one day be Rodgers successor in Green Bay and has turned heads in camp will be making his first start against an embattled Chiefs defense.
Tyrann Mathieu has never needed extra motivation before a game and is focused on having his group ready before Sunday, as he explained to reporters.
“Aaron Rodgers is a special player, probably one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league,” Mathieu said. “But I think as far as preparation, it’s just all about our mindset, our attitude, trying to get as much information as we can. Pretty sure those guy’s offense won’t change too much, so it’s all about formational recognition and just understanding what’s going on from our end.”
Love has played during the preseason in limited duty, but enough to get an idea of his potential come Sunday. In two preseason games, Love was 24-of-35 for 171 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The 89.1 passer rating displayed some impressive attributes, but also the same growing pains felt by any young quarterback. Ultimately, the Chiefs will have to make do with the tape they can find on the second-year signal-caller.
“I actually just asked my coach that about an hour ago,” Mathieu said. “(You have to) just kind of dig through the tape, preseason games, you know, try to get a feel for what he likes to do, whether that be rhythm throws or trying to find his shots deep. I do know he has a big arm. He can move around the pocket, so it’ll be a good challenge for us.”
While in college, Love was electric leading Utah State to a 2018 New Mexico Bowl victory earning MVP honors in the game. He was also named to the second-team All-MWC team that season. Mathieu was very candid about also adding some of Love’s college tape to his film review.
“Yeah, I think sometimes you do that,” said Mathieu. “But I think he has a couple of snaps in the NFL, so we’ll look at those probably more than we look back into his college days.”
[listicle id=108325]