Packers GM shares big admission about Jordan Love

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst can't hide that individuals within the organization don't yet know if Jordan Love is a long-term answer at quarterback for the franchise. 

"I think we've got 10 games left," Gutekunst said while speaking about Love at Wednesday's midseason news conference, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN. "These are going to be very important 10 games."

The Packers traded future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets this past spring and then signed Love to a contract extension that technically runs through the 2024 campaign but could allow Green Bay to move on from the 24-year-old as soon as this offseason. 

According to ESPN stats, Love began Wednesday ranked 22nd in the NFL among qualified players with a 43.6 adjusted QBR, 28th with a 78.2 passer rating and 32nd with a 57.7% completion percentage on the season. He tossed 11 touchdown passes and eight interceptions over Green Bay's first seven contests, and he routinely failed to impress during a four-game losing streak that dropped the club to 2-5. 

"I think he's done a lot of really good things," Gutekunst continued about Love. "Really like the way he's responded to the adversity, how he's led the team. Again, we've got to be better as a unit and I expect that to happen over the next 10 games." 

Heading into Week 9, the Packers held control of what would be overall pick No. 6 in next year's draft. Green Bay theoretically could package such a top-tier choice with other assets to move up in the draft order and select Love's eventual replacement. 

"I think it's been a work in progress for the entire offense," Gutekunst added about Love's play. "There's been glimpses, particularly in the second halves of really good football. But we have not started very well. So, I think that group, that unit as a whole has a lot of work to do. But at the same time, they're kind of committed to the process, believe in that group of guys and expect better results coming."

Green Bay next hosts the 3-5 Los Angeles Rams this coming Sunday. As of Wednesday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the Packers as three-and-a-half-point favorites against the Rams.