When the Green Bay Packers traded four-time NFL MVP and future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, it marked the beginning of the Jordan Love era.
At the time of the trade, the Jets were considered Super Bowl contenders while the Packers were believed to enter a period of rebuilding.
As the start of the 2023 regular season looms, there are still many people who do not expect the Packers to be very good, though there are more and more that think they could be a pleasant surprise. Of course, these more favorable predictions have coincided with the growing national faith in Love as a quality NFL quarterback.
In fact, one former Packers wide receiver turned renowned NFL analyst Bucky Brooks believes that the Packers will be better in 2023 than they were in 2022, and it is because Love, not Rodgers, is their starting quarterback.
In a recent column Brooks wrote for NFL.com, he picked the Packers as his sleeper team in the NFC. Of why Love will lead Green Bay to success, Brooks wrote:
“Matt LaFleur and Co. are now actually better positioned to advance through the NFL postseason tournament due to a philosophical change on offense that’s designed to help Jordan Love flourish as a first-time starter. I can’t wait to see what this team looks like in a season-opening trip to Chicago for a Sunday showdown with the rival Bears.
“Clearly, the marriage between Rodgers and the Packers had grown stale. In the wake of a contentious divorce, though, I think the franchise is rejuvenated by the transition to Love. And I truly believe the Packers, with the way their roster is currently constructed, will benefit from a more balanced approach that makes the running game and play-action passes the foundation of every game plan.”
The Packers will certainly be a more balanced team without Rodgers, who often audibled out of running plays in favor of unadvised passing ones. Indeed, Green Bay is a much better team when running backs Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon get the ball.
Last season, there were only five games in which Jones was given at least 15 carries; Green Bay was 4-1 in those games. There were also only five games in which Dillon received at least 12 carries; they were 5-0 in those contests.
Love is much more likely to run the plays called for him, to stick to LaFleur’s system, and those rushing totals and the Packers’ record in those games are a promising indicator of what the Packers can achieve this season.
However, this is not to say that Love makes the Packers better just because he will hand of the ball. He also has helped improved clubhouse chemistry and has built bonds with young receivers, something that Rodgers refused to do.
Love and wide receiver Romeo Doubs have worked out together all offseason and the connection they have formed is one that fans will find exciting for years to come.
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