Even before he took a snap in 2023, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love had more than his fair share of detractors. As the season has gone on, and as the Packers have fallen to 2-5, more and more people are getting off the Love Train.
Of course, the team’s struggles have not all been his fault. The Joe Barry defense has fans standing firm in their annual stance that the Packers’ defensive coordinator (whoever it may be) should be fired. Matt LaFleur has come under fire for his first-half play-calling, and rightly so. Injuries have robbed the Packers of several key-contributors for weeks at a time.
Undoubtedly, Love has some more work to do before he is a polished NFL quarterback. However, Hall of Fame quarterback and Packers legend Brett Favre believes that Green Bay’s current starter has not been given a fair shake in his first year.
Brett Favre Points Out Things He and Aaron Rodgers Had that Jordan Love Does Not in First Year Starting for the Green Bay Packers
1992 Press Photo Max McGee watching Packer quarterback Brett Favre throwing.
Favre, who knows a thing or two about what it takes to be successful in the NFL, recently appeared on the “Go Long” podcast hosted by Tyler Dunne. During his interview with Dunne, Favre pointed out that both he and Aaron Rodgers had two things that Jordan Love does not: incredible veteran wide receivers and a strong offensive line:
“He[Rodgers] was loaded at receiver. Loaded. And a good, solid, consistent offensive line. Big difference from what he took over and what Jordan is taking over. And again, no offense to the guys. I think they’re young. they’re talented. But they’re young. They haven’t established themselves yet.
“They haven’t logged the miles that Sterling had logged prior to me getting there. He established himself as a true number one receiver, one of the tops in the league before I got there. So I had that to fall back on. When all else fails, throw it to Sterling and good things happen. And that was true. Jordan doesn’t have that.
“The problem is protection is shaky at best. You got guys that are not Sterling Sharpe at wide receiver. And again, all due respect, they’re young
“And I think even though he’s been around for a while, it’s different watching versus playing. The real bullets are a lot different than not real bullets. And so, you know I think Packers fans across the country and the world are disappointed, but…I think most of them would agree to a certain extent that they’re not surprised…So there is going to be a learning curve, and the season’s not over…. they could hit on all cylinders at any moment. Or it could be two years from now. I have no idea but I think we need to be somewhat patient with them.”
Of course, these issues have been things that other former Packers players, such as Gilbert Brown, LeRoy Butler, and Kurt Benkert, have been saying for a while. It was irresponsible and unfair to expect Love to produce with such an inexperienced group of pass catchers, which includes three rookie wide receivers and three rookie tight ends.
The offensive line, to be sure, has been a major disappointment. The loss of David Bakhtiari for the season is one thing, but the fact of the matter is that the rest of the line has underperformed.
And so, what Packers fans are left with is, once again, the advice to be patient. As Favre points out, the Packers may not hit on all cylinders for two more years. That is, until players develop more around Love.
Buckle up. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
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