More than a feeling: Time is now for Packers QB Jordan Love

It is time. Jordan Love is about to take center stage. Albeit a smaller stage. The 26th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft is going to be front and center for the Green Bay Packers during the preseason that starts Friday evening when the Packers take on the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. 

Love has been on a non-stop roller coaster ride since Brian Gutekunst traded up for the Utah State product. Viewed as the “Heir Apparent” to Aaron Rodgers, Love has endured a turbulent start to his career, where every throw has been heavily scrutinized. 

Viewed as a toolsy quarterback coming out of Utah State, Love didn’t enjoy a normal offseason during his rookie year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no rookie minicamp. There were virtual team meetings. More importantly, there were no preseason games. Those live reps would have been huge for the growth and confidence of a rookie quarterback.

Things got back to normal for Love during his second year in the league. However, the ups and downs continued.

It started with the controversy surrounding Rodgers. Would he retire? Would the Packers trade him and thrust Love into a starting role? We all know how the story ends, but in the moment it was likely a trying time for Love as he prepared for his second year in the league and his first “normal” offseason. 

Love started his first preseason game against the Houston Texans before he got knocked out of the game after hurting his shoulder. That injury to his shoulder forced him to miss valuable practice reps and more importantly the second preseason game.

As Love sets to embark on his third year in the league, all reports are that the former first-round pick has looked more confident and in command of the offense. 

“I think he’s much more in rhythm,” Matt LaFleur said. “I think there’s more decisiveness. I think you see it in his footwork, and he’s not getting what I call ‘stuck’ at the top of the drop, where both feet are hitting at the same time, and he’s just kind of sitting there. It just looks more rhythmical, just looks more fluid, and I think it’s translated in his play. I think he’s definitely thrown the ball pretty accurately and has made pretty good decisions.”

During his first preseason, Rodgers completed 54 percent of his passes and threw one touchdown and two interceptions. In his second season, Rodgers threw three touchdowns, and one interception, while completing 57 percent of his passes. It was in his third year that Rodgers looked like a different quarterback. Rodgers tossed three touchdown passes and zero interceptions. That season, Rodgers delivered a sterling performance against the Dallas Cowboys in prime time when Brett Favre was knocked out of the game. Rodgers threw for 201 yards and one touchdown and looked the part of a future starting quarterback. 

Rodgers took a giant step during his third year in the league and the reigning MVP has noticed marked improvements in his understudy thus far in training camp.

“You’ve seen the fundamentals come together,” Rodgers said. “Year two to three is always an interesting year from development for a quarterback. I took a big jump…It comes down to consistency with the fundamentals. When he throws the ball on time and in rhythm he’s been very accurate this camp.”

A couple of things will be working in Love’s favor when he takes the field against the 49ers.

Love will be under center with the No. 1 starting offensive line. A starting offensive line that will be without its two best players (David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins), but the starting group nonetheless. 

Secondly, unlike last year, the Packers will have young, talented wide receivers that will be on the field with Love.

When Love was selected in the first round, the selection was met with speculation. With each errant practice throw, the critics grow louder. With each check-down throw, the detractors shake their heads in disapproval.

This is a critical year for Love. Gutekunst knows that. LaFleur knows that. The pundits will be quick to write him off if he comes out flat tonight. Love will take the field knowing that he is out to prove the naysayers wrong. 

“I always think I have something to prove,” Love said. “I definitely feel like I have something to prove and my goal is to show that in the preseason.”

The matchup with the 49ers will mark Love’s third preseason appearance of his career (two starts). Will he look in control of the offense? Will he be able to make the easy throws? 

Nobody knows what to expect when Love takes the field tonight. There is no denying that Love has a live arm. When he got into a rhythm and things were clicking at Utah State, it was easy to see why many viewed him as a first-round talent. Those tools were why Gutekunst was comfortable trading up to get the potential franchise quarterback. Will this be the year he showcases those tools? 

“Something clicks in at some point and the game slows down,” Rodgers said. “You make the plays you know you’re capable of making. I look forward to watching him on Friday.”

With a strong showing, Love could silence the critics (for now). With a subpar performance, the pundits will be deafening.

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Story originally appeared on Packers Wire