Year 1 of Jordan Love starting for the Green Bay Packers was a learning experience. Not only did Love take over for future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but to try and win games despite having the youngest team in the NFL.
Before the season started, nobody gave Green Bay a real shot to qualify for the postseason. Most viewed the 2023-24 season as a “transitional year,” with the following season serving as an important year for Jordan Love’s development. For the first two months of the season, that’s exactly what Green Bay looked like, a team that didn’t know how to win close games yet and went through some growing pains trying to figure it out.
That all changed on the Week 12 Thanksgiving Day clash against the Detroit Lions where Love had a nearly perfect game. Love went 22 of 32 for 268 yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling 29-22 victory. Since then, Love transformed himself into the best player in football and helped Green Bay sneak into the postseason by knocking off the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17 and the Chicago Bears in Week 18.
In his first postseason start against the Dallas Cowboys, Love had a spectacular game, going 16 of 21 for 272 yards and three touchdowns in an upset 48-32 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. While Green Bay’s season ended disappointingly, this doesn’t take away from the season Jordan Love had in his first season as the starter.
Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur spoke about Jordan Love’s development in 2023.
Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur spoke glowingly about Jordan Love’s first year as a starter. (Via Ryan Wood)
“He had a hell of a year. Let’s not look past that. He really did just to see the growth. I talked with him about it last night, the growth in him as a commander. He’s an extension of us.”
Matt LaFleur on Jordan Love: "He had a hell of a year. Let's not look past that. He really did, just to see the growth. I talked with him about it last night, the growth in him as a commander. He's an extension of us."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) January 22, 2024
Hard to disagree with LaFleur here. This was the discourse about Love early in the season. (Via Yahoo Sports.)
Pundits labeled Jordan Love a bust without waiting for him to develop. But Love went out and played his best football and dispelled the notion that he was a bust. Love’s performances down the stretch not only endeared himself to the Packers’ fanbase, but the team will likely reward him with a massive contract extension this offseason.
Just think, what was viewed as a questionable pick three years ago has paid dividends, and now the Green Bay Packers have found another franchise quarterback.
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