'We're going to play for you': Green Bay Packers starters ready to back Jordan Love at quarterback
GREEN BAY – If nothing else is certain — yet — about the Green Bay Packers' lineup in 2023, Jordan Love can be confident he has the backing of his teammates and the organization.
The Packers and New York Jets are attempting to work out a trade for future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who said earlier this year he wanted to play for the Jets after 18 years with Green Bay. The Packers signaled they are ready to move on to Love, who they picked in the first round of the 2020 draft.
"I really don’t have any updates on the situation with Aaron," team President and CEO Mark Murphy said Tuesday before the departure of the Packers Tailgate Tour bus from Lambeau Field. "We are all so excited about Jordan Love. He’s handled things the right way. He’s developed and improved. We think he’s ready to be a starter."
Teammates Aaron Jones and Elgton Jenkins, who also are on the bus, said they've spent time with Love and look forward to playing with him. Jones, who's mostly working out in Florida during the offseason, traveled to California to work with Love.
"We don’t know what’s going to be our future here, but I think that’s who’s going to be our quarterback," Jones said. "But even if he wasn’t, he’s still a quarterback on our roster, so I like to work with my quarterback, just continue to get my reps in, because at some point he’s going to take those snaps."
Running back Jones, who gained 1,121 yards and caught 59 passes last season, said he's prepared to boost Love's confidence during inevitable trying times.
"Things may happen that might not go his way, and letting him know you’ve got guys in front no matter what happens, we’re going to play for you. I think if he knows that, it’s just going to help him that much more," Jones said.
Jones said second-year receiver Romeo Doubs, who was scheduled to be on the tour bus but was unable to make it, also worked out with Love.
More: Packers' Tailgate Tour will include Aaron Jones, Elgton Jenkins and Romeo Doubs
Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins said the transition from Rodgers to Love will be a big deal, but he believes the Packers will handle it.
"We’ve got to embrace that and moving forward put points on the board, like we always do," he said. "It’s going to be different because (Rodgers has) been playing the game for so many years, but I feel like we’ll be good."
Murphy declined to answer questions about the status of negotiations with the Jets. He said Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst and Jets GM Joe Douglas are talking.
"I’m really glad that Aaron Rodgers turned out to be such a good quarterback and I’m hopeful that Jordan Love turns out to be a similar quarterback. And with that I’ll leave," Murphy said before boarding the bus.
The five-day Tailgate Tour this year will visit northwestern Wisconsin, including Wausau, Eau Claire, Rice Lake, Superior, Ashland, Minocqua and Rhinelander, among other stops.
The tour group will visit schools, hospitals, businesses, retirement homes, event venues and community centers to present donations and give away items. The Packers are working with a number of groups and nonprofits throughout the region to coordinate visits and fundraising activities.
This is the first year since 2018 that active players were able to participate because previous dates conflicted with offseason team activities. The Tailgate Tour was not held in 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to Jones and Jenkins, Packers alumni Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Eddie Lacy and Davon House are on the tour, as is Evan Dietrich-Smith, who stepped in for the absent Doubs.
Contact Richard Ryman at rryman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @RichRymanPG, on Instagram at @rrymanPG or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG/.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay Packers starters ready to back Jordan Love at quarterback
