The Green Bay Packers have achieved a goal that very few thought they would be able to reach before the 2023 NFL season began. With their 17-9 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon, Jordan Love and the Packers are headed to the playoffs. Last year, Aaron Rodgers threw a game-sealing interception at home against the Detroit Lions that kept Green Bay from the postseason in his final year with team. Love took a younger and more experienced squad to a 9-8 record and a showdown with the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round.
Throughout the season, the story surrounding the team was whether or not Love and his young offense could prove that they were the future of the franchise. Over the course of the last two months, numerous young and rookie pass catchers stepped up when needed, made winning plays, and showed the NFL world that the future in Green Bay is bright.
Of course, Love was at the most scrutinized and criticized member of the team. Many doubted that he would ever be good enough to take over the reigns from Rodgers. Despite the doubts, Love’s first year as a starter as surpassed Rodgers’ in just about every way.
In fact, only two quarterbacks in the history of the NFL had a better first year starting than Love in 2023.
Green Bay Packers Quarterback Jordan Love Makes NFL History in First Season as Starter
Love finished the 2023 season with a 64.2% completion percentage, 4,159 passing yards, 32 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions, and a passer rating of 96.1. Not only did he supersede both Rodgers and Brett Favre for the best seasons by a first-year starter in franchise history, but he also had one of the best seasons by a first-year starter in NFL history.
Focusing on passing yards and touchdown passes, the only two quarterbacks with more of each in their first seasons as a starting quarterback are Patrick Mahomes and Kurt Warner:
- Patrick Mahomes: 5,097 yards, 50 touchdowns (2018)
- Kurt Warner: 4,353 yards, 41 touchdowns (1999)
Both Mahomes and Warner were named NFL MVP and Pro Bowl players in those seasons. Love will not make the Pro Bowl this year and is not in the running for MVP.
How Does Jordan Love’s First Year as the Starter for the Green Bay Packers Compare to Brett Favre’s and Aaron Rodgers’?
Quarterback | Completion % | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Passer Rating |
Jordan Love | 64.2% | 4,159 | 32 | 11 | 96.1 |
Aaron Rodgers | 63.6% | 4,038 | 28 | 13 | 93.8 |
Brett Favre | 64.1% | 3,227 | 18 | 13 | 85.3 |
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