GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – Many Packer fans are wondering and asking the same questions in the aftermath of yesterday’s blockbuster Aaron Rodgers deal. Jordan Love, how good is he, and can he lead the Packers to the playoffs in 2023?
Jordan Love arrived at Lambeau Field last week to participate in the team’s off-season workout program as the Green Bay Packers starting quarterback for the first time in his professional career, and many scouts and teammates believe Love could be up for a big season in 2023.
Back in 2016, Love was just a three-star recruit and the 62nd-ranked quarterback in the country. He received very few offers before eventually signing with the Utah State Aggies.
Love redshirted his first year at Utah State but cracked the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman. No one could have imagined Love would be a first-round pick and the Green Bay Packers’ eventual franchise quarterback at the time. He had his ups and downs, as any inexperienced quarterback will.
He ended up completing 689 of 1,125 passes for 8,600 yards, 60 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions at Utah State. During those three years, he also ran for 409 yards and nine touchdowns. But, most importantly, Love demonstrated that he could be a first-round selection.
During the Scouting Combine, Love’s physical traits impressed coaches and scouts. He was not only athletic for a 6-4 220-pounder, but he also had a terrific throwing arm, which many said was his most amazing attribute. He showed the ability to force the ball into tight downfield windows.
Three years later, Love looked great as he worked on his passing mechanics with QB coach and guru Steve Calhoun in early March of this year.
Jordan Love is back to work in the offseason with QB coach Steve Calhoun.
Year 4 and undoubtedly the biggest year to date for Love. pic.twitter.com/CG452H4uWK
— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) March 8, 2023
Calhoun, who has coached Love since he was a freshman in high school, spoke with NFL Network after the workouts about what he’s looking for, stating, “Just him to continue to develop as a passer. The biggest thing for me is I’m coaching every small detail from where his left foot plants and where his arm is coming through in the slot — just coaching all those details and see if he can make the correction without me saying it because I won’t be in Green Bay with him.”
Matt Hamilton is a Fox Sports Up and Adams podcast producer and analyst who formerly served as a scout for the Detroit Lions in 2013. He explained why fans should be excited about Jordan Love this season on an episode of the Up and Adams podcast last week.
Hamilton dissected a play from Love’s performance last season against the Philadelphia Eagles. Love was getting the ball out of hand and anticipating where his wide receivers were going to be open throughout that game. In other words, he accurately broke down the defense and knew where the ball needed to be before the play even began.
Now former teammate Aaron Rodgers praised Love in a March interview with Pat McAfee, saying, “He’s going to be a great player,” and added in an interview with USA Today, “The reads and stuff, just understanding the offense, I think he’s definitely become a master of the offense.”
During the Packers’ Pre-Draft press conference yesterday, GM Brian Gutekunst said of Love, “We’re really excited where Jordan can go. He needs to play. Having him sit another year I think would have really delayed where we’re going and what we’re trying to build.”
Aaron Jones, the Packers star running back who received passes from Love during a workout this off-season, said Love looks the part of a starter. Jones continued by saying that Love was throwing the ball “with swag,” according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
#Packers fans will love to see this — Jordan Love & Aaron Jones getting some offseason work in together.
(
: Aaron Jones’ instagram) pic.twitter.com/jVJSHHs2IC
— Nicole Menner (@NicoleMenner) March 29, 2023
RELATED: Jordan Love Planning Off-Season Work Outs With Young Packer Stars
“He was comfortable, throwing the ball with swag,” Jones said. “He knows where he wants to be, and he’s going to keep working to get there.”
Linebacker DeVondre Campbell made news midway through last season when he stated Love is better than a lot of current NFL starting quarterbacks.
Packer fans have only had a handful of opportunities to see Love in action so far, but with OTAs only a few short weeks away, it’s safe to say everyone is eager to see if the franchise is about to have its third consecutive Hall of Fame quarterback.
