The Green Bay Packers have the odds stacked against them in 2023. It is understandable. Jordan Love is taking over for Aaron Rodgers and the wide receivers are all rookies or second-year players that have yet to play a full NFL season’s worth of games. Additionally, the projected top two tight ends on the roster are both 2023 NFL Draft picks.
Ever since Rodgers made his desire to be traded to the New York Jets public, analysts and fans have questioned Love’s ability to win in the NFL. However, numerous teammates have spoken up in support of his talent and leadership abilities. Last week, Rashan Gary joined their ranks during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show.
Green Bay Packers Edge Rusher Says Team Will Go to War for Jordan Love
Packers players that have already come out in support of Love include:
Gary appeared on The Rich Eisen Show back on June 29. During the interview, Eisen told Gary that a lot of people are wondering what the team is going to look like without Rodgers for the first time [in 15 years]. Gary responded:
“Yeah. For all the Packers fans that [are nervous] out there, don’t be nervous. There isn’t anybody in the organization that isn’t putting in all the work to make sure Green Bay has the kind of season that they used to have.
“Going to the playoffs. Going to the Super Bowl. Nothing has changed.
“And I just can’t wait to see Jordan Love go out there and put his hard work out there. Because I’ve seen him from the time he walked into Green Bay getting better day by day.
“Now he’s our leader.”
Eisen then asked Gary what he has seen from Love that makes him think the Packers will be just as good with him as they were with Rodgers (I assume 2022 aside). Gary responded:
“Number one, just how he has all the respect of his teammates. How he has everybody ready to go to war for him. You know, as a quarterback, the tempo is set off of him.
“So, just how he handles the huddle, how everybody’s listening to him. He’s calling off the checking. You know, off the run, checking it back to what he said, and just to see his confidence.
“Understanding his read. Understanding where not to throw the ball, where to throw the ball. And from what I’ve seen at OTA’s, his work in the offseason and the years of preparation have come along, so I just can’t wait to see him go out there and get his opportunity.”
People were quick to point out that when Rodgers took over for Brett Favre, he had everyone in the building saying how special he was. Prior to the Packers’ team activities, many stated that Love did not have that kind of support.
However, Gary is now one of several players that have come out and said how good and special he looks. And not all of these players are on offense! If defensive players, whose job it is to make quarterbacks’ lives miserable, are impressed with Love, then there is a lot for fans to be excited about.
The Packers and Love still need to prove it on the field, though. Nothing is handed to anyone in the NFL. However, fans should be optimistic about this team. They are young and there will be mistakes. But they will also be exciting and probably a lot better than many people predict them to be.
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