Jordan Love to start Packers' preseason opener

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers put pen to paper on a massive contract extension in March but raised eyebrows when he said ahead of the summer months that he thinks about retirement "all the time." The four-time NFL Most Valuable Player who turns 39 years old in December also recently declared that he won't play until he's 45 like Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Tom Brady and that he realizes "the end is near" as it pertains to his playing career. 

Back in June, Green Bay backup signal-caller and 2020 first-round draft choice Jordan Love remarked that he would "take what I'm given and run with it" in terms of receiving reps. It appears the 23-year-old will soon earn some needed QB1 experience. 

Per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters on Monday that Love will start in place of Rodgers for this coming Friday's preseason opener at the San Francisco 49ers. LaFleur also hinted that Love will get the nod for the matchup against the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 19. Rodgers' status for the preseason finale at the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 25 won't be determined until some point after the New Orleans contest. 

In total, Love has attempted only 62 passes in regular-season play. He completed 36 of those throws for 411 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. His future with the Packers is very much up in the air without knowing, for sure, how long Rodgers will serve as the club's starter and offensive CEO.