Analysis

4/24/23

4 min read

Jordan Love Era Officially Begins for Green Bay Packers

Welcome to the Jordan Love era, Green Bay.

After months of speculation, Monday's trade of four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets officially opened the door for Love to take over the reins of the Packers' offense.

The transition is eerily similar to the one Rodgers made in 2008 after the Green Bay Packers traded future Hall of Famer Brett Favre to ... the Jets for a conditional first-round pick. Now Love, who has made one start in his three seasons — a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs midway through the 2021 season, will replace another future Hall of Famer.

Count longtime NFL coach and The 33rd Team analyst Mike Martz among Love's biggest fans.

"From what I’ve seen of this kid, I’d hang onto him. I’d bet the ranch on this guy," Martz said. "I’d equate Love to Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers in that regard. They have that presence that when a defense moves them off their mark, they’re not going to panic. You know they’re going to stand in there and make throws, take it and find a way to win. You can see it in both players’ body language. I’m big on body language, and it’s something you can’t underestimate."

Martz also has been impressed with what he's seen of the improvements in Love's throwing mechanics.

"Love obviously has developed since he was drafted," Martz said. "When I watched tape of him playing last year, I was surprised at how quick his delivery had gotten. He’s got a very dynamic delivery, much like Rodgers has. And there are some good reasons for that.

"He has very strong legs, and when he sets himself to throw, he uses them very well. That’s important because consistency and accuracy come from that. That’s why the ball just snaps out of his hand.

"There are several young quarterbacks I’ve watched on tape, and they never really set themselves. That’s going to lead to accuracy problems. Love is different; he’s very accurate because his mechanics are perfect."

What can the Packers reasonably expect in 2023 with Love starting? In 2008, coming off an appearance in the NFC Championship Game, the Packers went 6-10 in Rodgers' first season as the starter, and the quarterback went 341-for-536 passing for 4,038 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also threw 13 interceptions.

First Three Seasons: Love vs.  Rodgers

  Love Rodgers
Games 10 7
Starts 1 (0-1) 0
Passing 50-83-3 (TD) - 3 (INT) 35-59-1-1
Completion% 60.2% 59.3%
2023 salary/cap hit $2.3M/$3.9M $59.5M / $15.8M
2024 salary $20.2M (5th-yr. option) 32.5M

The similarities don't end there, however. Both are California natives — Rodgers is from Chico, while Love is from Bakersfield — and both were selected in the bottom quarter of the first round of their respective drafts. Rodgers was the 24th overall pick in 2005, and Love went No. 26 in 2020.

The buzz around Love built after his relief appearance during the Packers' 40-33 loss on Nov. 27 at Philadelphia. Rodgers left the game in the second half due to injury, and Love stepped in and led scoring drives totaling 13 points in the Packers' final three possessions.

Love was 6-for-9 passing for 113 yards and completed a 63-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Christian Watson.

That was a far cry from Love's only start, a 13-7 loss at Kansas City on Nov. 7, 2021. Love was 19 of 34 for 190 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed 23 yards on five carries as the Chiefs blitzed him heavily.


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