It never happened during the regular season, but new evidence is emerging that at least one high-ranking member of the Green Bay Packers was ready to begin the transition at quarterback from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love at some point late in the 2022 season.
From reporting by Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “At one point late last year, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst told an NFL colleague he was convinced it was time the organization move on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers and see what Jordan Love had in him.” It’s unclear if Gutekunst desired a transition in-season or after the season.
The Packers were floundering at 4-8 and Rodgers was dealing with injuries to his thumb and ribs in November, potentially creating a natural transition point to Love, but coach Matt LaFleur stuck with the four-time MVP quarterback down the stretch, and Rodgers helped get the Packers back to 8-8 before a season-ending and playoff-eliminating loss to the Detroit Lions in the season finale.
Now, the organization is once again at a crossroads. Rodgers might still be deciding his football future, but so are the Packers. Does the franchise want to bring Rodgers back for another run in 2023? Or is it time to make the move to Love, who has been on the bench and learning behind Rodgers for the last three seasons?
Love has played in only 10 career games and made just one start, attempting 83 passes overall in regular-season play since joining the Packers as a first-round pick in 2020. However, the former Utah State star shined brightly during a two-series stretch in Philadelphia, potentially giving the Packers confidence that he’s ready to take the next step and become a legitimate starting quarterback.
Gutekunst and LaFleur both believe Love is ready to play right now, but opportunity has been the biggest hurdle. If Rodgers retires, or is traded, the keys to the car in Green Bay will all of a sudden belong to Love in 2023. Rodgers turns 40 years old in December, is coming off the worst statistical season of his career and, based on his contract structure, has escalating dead cap hits the longer he remains in Green Bay. The Packers must decide if whether or not to pick up Love’s fifth-year option in 2024 by early May. Big decisions are coming from Rodgers and the Packers in the coming weeks.
