The verdict on the Green Bay Packers is mixed ahead of the NFL season as the big question remains, how will the team do without Aaron Rodgers? Following 16 seasons of Rodgers being Green Bay’s starting quarterback, Jordan Love will now step into the role and make just his second career NFL start on Sunday versus the Bears.
Love has spent the last three seasons working in the shadows behind Rodgers, and his lack of experience makes it difficult to get a pulse on how he’ll perform this season. But CBS Sports recently ranked Love as the top breakout candidate with the season right around the corner.
“Even for a guy replacing a future Hall of Famer, following almost exactly the blueprint of Aaron Rodgers’ step-in for Brett Favre, it sure feels like Love is something of an afterthought at a position chock-full of young stars,” CBS’ Cody Benjamin wrote. “Or maybe it’s just that he’s an unknown, which is true.”
The Packers traded up in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft to select Love with the No. 26 overall pick. He threw for 8,600 yards and 60 touchdowns during his career at Utah State displaying NFL size, athleticism, and arm talent. But he was viewed by many as more of a project quarterback who would take time to develop, throwing 17 interceptions in his final season with Aggies.
Green Bay did have time to develop Love, as Rodgers would post back-to-back MVP seasons in Love’s first two seasons with the team. But now with Rodgers moving on to the New York Jets, it’s time for Love’s three seasons of development to pay off.
“But the former first-rounder has one incredibly important — and unteachable — weapon at his disposal: a laser arm,” Benjamin continued. “Couple it with the veteran touch he showcased on preseason passes, the three years of learning behind Rodgers, the seamless transition into emergency QB1 duties last season, and all the ingredients are there for a surprisingly strong debut as a full-timer. Hiccups are inevitable, and his supporting cast is young, but let’s not forget coach Matt LaFleur has the backs and the wherewithal to power a ground game. Throw in an explosive Christian Watson, and it shouldn’t be shocking if Love guides an NFC North push.”
Love will be surrounded by the experienced backfield dup of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon along with young weapons like Watson, Romeo Doubs, and the rookie duo of Luke Musgrave and Jayden Reed.
Pair that with a strong defense and Love will have all of the pieces to not only be a breakout candidate, but potentially bring the Packers back to the postseason after missing out in heartbreaking fashion last season in Week 18.
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