If I were an NFL GM or scout who wanted to learn how to draft and develop quarterbacks, I’d look no further than the Green Bay Packers organization. Since 1992, the Packers have only had three players start as quarterback for most of their games – Brett Favre from 1992-2007, Aaron Rodgers from 2008-2022, and Jordan Love this season.
The Packers selected Love in the 1st round in 2020, raising many questions with fans. The common questions among the NFL Community were:
- Why didn’t they give Rodgers a receiver?
- Is Rodgers leaving soon?
- How good is Jordan Love?
Jordan Love’s College Career
Love had one college offer, which was Utah State. He had a 24-15 career and broke many school records. He lead Utah State to an 11-2 season in his sophomore year with 3,567 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Love did show some regression in his junior year when the team went 7-6. He finished with 3,402 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions that season. Despite a rough junior year, Love showed a lot of potential, which led the Packers to select him in the first round of the 2020 draft.
The Packers Vision
The Packers had a plan for Love; let him learn behind an NFL all-time great, Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers mentored Love for three seasons as Favre did for him. Love didn’t see any real game action until the end of the 2022 season. In the 2022 offseason, everyone knew Rodgers was gone, and the Packers didn’t even attempt to re-sign him, which meant they felt confident in Rodgers’ successor. As we saw this season, that has proven to be the right move.
There were undoubtedly some ups and downs with Love at the start of the season. He was spectacular in his first two games, throwing 6 Touchdowns with 0 interceptions. Over the next seven games, Love struggled, throwing eight touchdowns and ten interceptions with a 2-5 record. By game number 10, the Packer’s playoff chances looked slim; they were 3-6, and fans were questioning the decision to start Love.
A Star is Born
Over the next eight games, Jordan Love hit his stride. He threw 18 touchdowns and only one interception, leading the Packers to a 6-2 record and a playoff berth. Packers fans were overjoyed. Love’s midseason improvement was incredible and one of the best stories in the NFL.
In his first career playoff game, he continued to stay red hot. He threw three touchdowns and 0 interceptions with nearly a perfect passer rating in a 48-32 victory. This was an upset victory in the wildcard round and caused some turmoil in the Cowboys organization. Jordan Love and the Packers will go into San Francisco with a chance to play in the NFC Championship.
Jordan Love’s Future is Bright
Love’s development as a player is exciting to watch. All credit has to be given to the Packers organization, Aaron Rodgers, and Jordan Love himself for his hard work to get to this point.
One question remains: How far can Jordan Love take the Packers? Not only this season but in future seasons down the road.