Love and patience win over Packers

After sitting behind Aaron Rodgers for three seasons, Jordan Love is proof that it’s okay to allow young quarterbacks to develop as they learn to navigate the waters of playing and starting in the NFL

When the Packers moved on from Aaron Rodgers this offseason, it appeared they would be entering their first true rebuild since the early nineties. After sneaking into the postseason and dismantling the Cowboys in the wild-card round, Green Bay skipped the rebuild and looks to be set for at least the next decade.

There used to be a time when NFL franchises would draft a promising quarterback and let them develop for several years before giving them the keys to the offense. Now, it is viewed as a wasted season if top picks are not immediately thrust into game action.

“Jordan Love, wow, that is about all I can say is wow,” said Matt LaFleur after his quarterback posted a nearly perfect quarterback rating in his playoff debut.

Love had the benefit of sitting behind a future first-ballot Hall of Famer in Rodgers, for three years before taking the reins, which happens to be the same number of years his mentor sat behind Brett Favre. The process in Green Bay is much different from the rest of the league when it comes to their young quarterbacks, and it might be time for other organizations to take note.

Time and time again, we see a general manager draft a quarterback in the first round just to move on from them the following season. Transitioning from college to the professional level is difficult, and adjusting takes a while, especially at that position. Love’s lone start before this year took place in 2021 when he posted an ugly 69.5 passer rating against the Kansas City Chiefs. Then, he was not even close to the player he is now.

“It is not easy; there is a lot of work that goes on in the background. Throughout the whole week, the process, coach is giving us the plan, studying the plan, understanding what the defense is going to do,” said Love. “It is definitely not easy, but it has been easier as the season has gone on just getting into that flow and understanding that rhythm.”

Showing poise in the playoffs. ????#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/9OF2RUd6Gu

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 17, 2024

Love has been the best thrower of the football in the NFL during the second half of the season with 21 touchdowns and one interception over his past nine games. His play has made general manager Brian Gutekunst look like a genius while simultaneously helping cheese heads get over their former MVP.

“He is playing outstanding, but he is in his first year starting. As well as he is playing, can we not crown him right now for his own sake,” Rodgers said. Rodgers. “I love Jordan, and I think he is going to be a great player for a long time, but can we let him play his career?”

If Green Bay and their new quarterback can pull off another upset victory over the 49ers, we will have no choice but to crown him. The Packers organization and fan base have to love where they are at, and it is all thanks to drafting their franchise quarterback several years before they had any intention of starting him.

Feature Image: ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 14: Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) looks over the defense during the NFC Wild Card game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers on January 14, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire)