The recent development of Jordan Love into a starting-quality NFL quarterback is one big piece of the puzzle that the Green Bay Packers are trying to put together as a decision on Aaron Rodgers’ football future looms.
According to Albert Breer of MMQB, the Packers – once worried about Love’s progression through two NFL seasons – now see a player who is ready to start at quarterback and has “considerable upside.”
After the season, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was clear in his belief that he thinks Love is ready to play in 2023.
A first-round pick in 2020, Love spent the last two offseason workout programs taking the majority of the first-team reps at quarterback. And in 2022, he finally flashed his passing talent during a two-series appearance in relief of Rodgers against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Several teammates, including Aaron Jones and Allen Lazard, have voiced their belief that Love took a gigantic step forward in his development over the last year. And it appears the team agrees.
After both 2020 and 2021, the Packers didn’t know what they had in Love, making it an easy choice to do everything necessary to keep Rodgers after back-to-back MVP seasons. After 2022, the team appears far more confident in Love’s ability as a player, and now Rodgers is coming off arguably the worst statistical season of his starting career in Green Bay.
It has all created a crossroads for the Packers at quarterback. Give the future Hall of Famer one more shot in green and gold, or begin the transition to Love?
First, the team and the NFL world await a decision from Rodgers. Then, the Packers must choose their path forward.