Stephen A. Smith publicly challenges Packers QB Jordan Love

When Green Bay Packers franchise quarterback Jordan Love is healthy and firing on all cylinders, he's proved to be one of the more exciting young signal-callers in the NFL.

ESPN talking head Stephen A. Smith believes Love is an extremely talented quarterback, but he did challenge the former first-round pick when he was asked where the Packers will rank among the top teams in the NFC this season.

Love can put up numbers, but Smith wants to see Green Bay's quarterback do it when it really matters.

"When I look at the Green Bay Packers, Jordan Love is a stud, and I get that. The brother can play...in the regular season," Smith said on ESPN's "First Take" on Thursday. "I'm looking for him to show up in big moments."

Smith believes the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions are all ahead of the Packers in the NFC because Love has yet to prove that he can be a consistent playoff talent.

He threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns in his very first playoff appearance — a road win over the Dallas Cowboys — but in his last two playoff games, both losses, he's thrown for 406 yards and just two touchdowns compared to five interceptions. Three of those interceptions came last postseason in a wild-card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

In order for the Packers to be contenders, Love has to prove that he can live up to the moment. It's a process for young quarterbacks, but he has all the pieces around him to be successful in 2025. 

Love is in the prime of his career, and there should be some high expectations on him as the Packers head into the 2025 season. General manager Brian Gutekunst has been clear that he wants the Packers to compete for championships, and they believe they have the quarterback to do it. That's why they gave Love a four-year $220 million contract extension heading into last season.

Anyone can go out and have regular-season success. As such, Smith is right. Love has to start proving it in the playoffs.