Jordan Love’s performance in his first start for the Packers should convince Green Bay that they need to go all-in on keeping Aaron Rodgers.
Jordan Love had a huge opportunity on Sunday against the Chiefs with Aaron Rodgers out because of COVID-19. So did the Packers front office.
For Love, it was a chance to prove he is the best option for the franchise going forward. The front office finally got to see what they might be working with if they let Rodgers walk next season.
The conclusion? Green Bay has only one clear path: Do whatever it takes to keep Rodgers around.
Jordan Love did not look like the answer for the Packers
Going up against a Kansas City defense that has given up 20 points to all but one opponent they have faced, conceding 30 six times, Love couldn’t get the Green Bay’s offense going.
He was flummoxed by the pass rush, completed 55.8 percent of his passes and managed just 190 yards passing.
Nothing about his play suggested he has what it takes to lead a franchise full-time.
Packers beat writer Matt Schneidman came to the same conclusion.
“If that’s the only time the Packers front office sees Jordan Love play meaningful snaps before they have to make a decision on Rodgers/Love this offseason, I don’t see how they don’t do everything possible to keep Rodgers around. It’s his first start, but that wasn’t good,” Schneidman tweeted.
“Is it unfair to Love to base the decision on his future off only one game?” Schneidman pondered in another tweet. “Yes. But that’s the situation the Packers are in. Of course one game isn’t a realistic indicator of future performance. But what else will they have to judge his in-game capabilities on this offseason?”
Love has had a year to learn under Rodgers. It was his first start but rookies around the NFL this year have generally shown more being thrown into the fire a whole lot sooner.
The Packers may still decide the relationship with Rodgers is beyond repair. If they do, it should be clear to them by now that Love isn’t the answer.
