For years, the Green Bay Packers have decided not to play most of their regular starters in NFL preseason games. The philosophy behind teams choosing to do this is twofold. First, it protects their regular starters from unnecessary injuries (see Jordy Nelson in 2015). Second, it gives fringe roster players a bigger opportunity to prove they belong, and gives coaches a better of idea of who and who not to cut.
Former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, of course, did not see the preseason field for any preseason games under head coach Matt LaFleur. Based on what LaFleur said in a recent press conference ahead of training camp, it does not sound like Jordan Love will get the same break.
Green Bay Packers Head Coach Believes Jordan Love Will See Significant Playing Time in the Preseason
With training camp beginning on Wednesday, there are many unanswered questions regarding the roster. While the offensive positions are pretty much set as far as who will be the starters in Week One, the elephant in the room concerns how well Love and his young group of pass catchers will play together.
That is why Matt LaFleur is considering having Love and the starting wide receivers see significant playing time in the team’s three preseason games. That being said, LaFleur also does not want to wear out Love’s arm before the season even begins:
As for Love’s preseason playing time, LaFleur said he could “potentially” see Love get extensive game action.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) July 25, 2023
As Demovsky notes in his above Tweets, the challenge is finding a balance between over-exerting Love early while also getting him the reps he needs in the preseason.
To be clear: the Packers do not need Love to play extensively in the preseason in order for them to believe that he is good enough to be their starting quarterback. If they did not believe he could be, they would not have drafted him and they certainly would have not traded Rodgers.
So Why Does Matt LaFleur Think Jordan Love Should Play in the Preseason?
The reason why Love and the offensive starters, particularly the pass catchers, may see significant playing time in the preseason is to help them build their chemistry.
Love has already taken extensive steps to ensure that they have that invaluable chemistry already this summer. Immediately after Rodgers expressed his desire to be traded to the Jets, Aaron Jones flew out to California to work out with Love. Following mini camp and OTA’s, Love invited several Packers teammates out to California where they all ran through the playbook together.
Building chemistry takes time. Rodgers did not click on a high level with Jordy Nelson or Davante Adams until the third year of their respective careers. And we saw how poor the chemistry was on offense almost all last year, and how that affected everyone.
It is unreasonable to think that Love will have a “next-level” connection with his playmakers right away. That being said, the offense will look more cohesive and crisp than it did last year. This will result from all the time that Love has put into working with his teammates.
That will likely include some time in preseason game action.
Hopefully it doesn’t backfire on the injury front.
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