Jordan Love could be the next great Green Bay Packers quarterback, at least if you ask those around him.
This is the storyline of the summer, so don’t think of anything else. Entering draft night, the Green Bay Packers were expected to build off their 13-3 season and give Aaron Rodgers another chance for a ring.
Slight problem since Rodgers now wants out.
The Packers franchise is now in turmoil as the reigning MVP no longer wishes to remain the leading man of the frozen tundra. His time with the organization has run its course and the iceberg of pettiness has been struck.
The straw was broken last April when GM Brian Gutekunst traded up to grab Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. Now, the second-year signal-caller might be getting the chance to start Week 1 of the 2021 season.
In retrospect, is that a bad thing?
According to Love’s private QB coach Steve Calhoun, there’s a level of the former Aggies’ game that has been untouched. It’s quite similar to that of Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes or even Rodgers’ himself.
“There definitely is, there definitely is,” Calhoun told GoLongTD’s Tyler Dunne. “But Patrick Mahomes is one of one. Aaron Rodgers is one of one. Jordan wants to be Jordan Love. He doesn’t want to be Patrick. He doesn’t want to be Aaron. He wants to be Jordan Love.”
Can Jordan Love be the guy?
According to Dunne, longtime NFL personnel exec Marc Ross liked the upside of Love more than Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa or Chargers’ Justin Herbert, both of whom were draft at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively. Love’s backup, Henry Colombi, can see a young Rodgers inside the 22-year-old.
As for former No.1 target Siaosi Mariner, Love has the same skills Mahomes possessed coming out of Texas Tech in 2017.
The difference? Kansas City fans gave their young starter a chance.
Love landing in Green Bay is only a negative connotation due to the high-end play of Rodgers. The 37-year-old posted record-setting numbers in touchdown passes with 48 against a mere five interceptions. Prior to Love’s arrival, Green Bay was a game away from heading to Super LIV against Kansas City.
Before the standoff, Green Bay offered to make Rodgers the highest-paid quarterback in football, but Rodgers refused. Now, the question will be if he will return, retire or be traded on June 1.
Green Bay fans should be ready for a chance to see Love era actually unfold. Keep in mind that despite being the No. 4 quarterback in 2020, he did pass for 8,600 yards, 60 touchdowns and 29 interceptions in three seasons with Utah State.
There’s always some animosity when saying goodbye to one star with the hope the next name will follow in the footsteps. Rodgers felt that when Brett Favre was shoved out at age 38 in 2007. Who knows what would have happened had the 2009 Vikings made it to the Super Bowl?
It might be that time once more in Green Bay. Those close to Love, though, know his upside might be exactly what the Packers were hoping for.