Why the Packers should consider benching Rodgers, starting Love

Aaron Rodgers is an easy scapegoat for the floundering Green Bay Packers, and one NFL analyst believes it may not be long before he’s passed on the depth chart by third-year quarterback Jordan Love.

In a recent column outlining Rodgers’ fall from grace this season, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggests it may be in the Packers’ best interest to ride out the rest of the year with Love under center to evaluate if he factors into the team’s long-term plans.

“Green Bay needs to figure out what it has in Love quickly A) because of the looming option decision and B) because the 2023 draft is fast approaching,” Knox said. “If the season ended right now, the Packers would hold the 12th overall pick. That might be too low for a prospect like C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young, but quarterbacks like Will Levis and Anthony Richardson could be available.

“If the Packers aren't sold on Love, they need to seriously consider using their top pick on another quarterback. The end may be coming sooner than many expected for Rodgers, who openly admitted that he wasn't good enough on Thursday.”

Rodgers has been dealing with a lingering thumb injury for weeks. He recently admitted that his thumb has been hit in every game and that some time off would allow it to heal properly.

In resting the 38-year-old QB and inserting Love into the starting lineup, Green Bay could kill two birds with one stone. 

Love will earn just $4 million in 2023, but his fifth-year option will likely cost Green Bay in the neighborhood of $20 million the following year. If the Packers determine Love is their QB of the future, they could clear more than $31 million in cap space in 2024 by trading Rodgers elsewhere.

Love has played in just two games in 2022, completing 6 of 9 passes for 73 yards. He’s attempted just 71 passes and he has more interceptions (3) than touchdowns (2) in his NFL career.