It is a new era of Green Bay Packers football. After 15 years as the starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets to make way for 24-year old Jordan Love, whom the team drafted to replace him back in 2020. Over the last three years, there have been no shortages of comparisons between Rodgers and Love, and their paths to becoming the starting quarterback of the Packers.

Related: NFL Analyst Claims Jordan Love Is More Prepared to Take Over than Aaron Rodgers Was in 2008

That being said, while there are many similarities, their situations are also very different. One may recall that when the Packers made the decision to move on from Brett Favre in favor of Rodgers, it was a move that was highly unpopular among the fans. While there are many fans that remain in the “Rodgers Camp” now, the support that Love is receiving is much greater than what his predecessor received.

On Monday, Green Bay Press Gazette writer and Packers beat writer Pete Dougherty was a guest on The Mike Heller Show on iHeart Media’s 97.3 The Game. Heller asked Dougherty if he could remember as much buzz from the media covering the team regarding Rodgers in 2008 as Love is getting now.

His answer may be surprising to some.

Green Bay Packers Beat Reporter Does Not Recall As Much Media Buzz Surrounding Aaron Rodgers As Jordan Love Is Getting Now

For months following the trade of Rodgers to the Jets, fans in particular have been quick to criticize the move claiming that when Rodgers took over in 2008, everyone knew what they had in him. They recall players in the locker room praising the up-and-coming Rodgers to quell concerns of the fans.

Pete Dougherty, however, does not remember the media being as hyped or quick to praise Rodgers as they are towards Love now. Heller asked him to compare the amount of buzz surrounding Love now to the things the media was saying about Rodgers when he took over for Favre. Dougherty responded:

“I don’t remember ever feeling that way [that Rodgers was lighting it up in camp]. I wouldn’t say great, but I always ask other reporters what they think. I don’t remember anyone ever saying through camp of ’08, ‘Yeah, I think this guy is going to be really, really good.’ I don’t remember anyone saying that.

“The only thing I remember is by halfway through the season, when they extended Rodgers’ contract, I think it was after seven or eight games, I remember thinking, ‘Yeah, if I were them, I would do this too. I think he’s been pretty good; he’s going to be a real starter in this league.’

“But even then, I never would have predicted Hall of Fame for him.”

By contrast, Jordan Love has been praised a great deal by the Packers media throughout training camp. This has not to say that they have ignored the times that he struggled, but one practice during the first week of camp had multiple reporters calling it “the best Love has looked since he was drafted.”

Nor is any media member dubbing Love the next Hall of Fame quarterback to lead the Packers. However, the amount of positive things being said about him now far outweigh the positive things that were said about Rodgers in 2008.

Perhaps the difference is because of how popular Brett Favre was among Packers fans while Rodgers had, in many ways, rubbed some media members the wrong way. Or maybe it is because Love really is that good.

As was the case in ’08, everyone is going to have to wait and see until the regular season. Hopefully, Love shows that the Packers were right for having faith in him and he is able to be the next great Green Bay quarterback.

For more on Dougherty’s takeaways from training camp thus far, as well as Heller’s commentary on the Milwaukee Brewers, listen to the whole show linked above.

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!