One of the biggest questions surrounding the Green Bay Packers prior to the 2023 NFL season was whether or not they made the right decision trading future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets and handing over the keys of the offense to Jordan Love. From the moment Love was selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the fact that he was Rodgers’ replacement was apparent.
Of course, that did not mean that the pick was supported by all, or even most, of the fanbase. For three years, many knew that the day was coming when Love would take over, but they all questioned what that transition would be like. During the 2023 offseason, all of those questions came to the forefront.
Jordan Love Rewarded the Green Bay Packers’ Faith in Him
In the days, weeks, and months following the trade, there was not a lot of “love” for Love from the national media. Colin Cowherd specifically said that he believed the Packers quarterback should retire from football because “there is no special there” after a preseason game in which Love completed seven of 10 passes, including one for a touchdown.
Thankfully, Love did not take that piece of unsolicited advice. While he and the Packers offense did not get off to a great start in 2023, they won seven of their final ten games and Love established himself as a potential top-10 quarterback in the NFL.
When it was all said and done, Love finished the season with a 64.2% completion percentage, 4,159 passing yards, 32 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions, and a 96.1 passer rating. He also added 247 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
Not only did Love prove his doubters wrong, he put up the best season by a first-year starting quarterback in franchise history.
NFL Analyst Predicts Jordan Love Will Improve in 2024
In a recent article in which he predicted the 2024 passing stats for each team’s starting quarterback, NFL analyst Gary Davenport believes that Love will be slightly better, at least in terms of his stats, this upcoming year than he was last year.
He wrote:
“Expectations are higher for Love in his second season as Green Bay’s unquestioned starter. But with a talented cadre of young receivers at his disposal, Love has an excellent chance to better last year’s 4,159 passing yards and 31 passing scores.
“Projected Stats: 65.5 completion percentage, 4,399 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 251 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns.”
As seen above, Davenport incorrectly states that Love had 31 touchdown passes in 2023 when he really had 32. However, it is interesting that he has Love having even more touchdown throws in 2024.
With an improved defense and more consistent offense, Green Bay could be a big surprise this year. Last year, three extra touchdown passes would have meant three more wins, depending on when they happened. That would have given Green Bay 12 wins instead of the nine that they finished with.
A 12-win team in the NFC North could very well be in competition for the division crown.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!