The Green Bay Packers have high hopes for quarterback Jordan Love entering the 2023 season. This will be his first shot at being the full-time starter, taking over for Aaron Rodgers after being his understudy for three seasons.
There will be a lot of pressure on Love, who is looking to carry on the standard of MVP performance the Packers have had for 30 years. Before Rodgers, it was Brett Favre who was leading the way for the team’s offense.
On top of replacing a legend, Love has some hype to live up to as a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Not only that, the Packers traded up to handpick him as the eventual successor to Rodgers.
Now the time has come for Love to show what he is made of. There are a lot of people in his corner, including his former mentor. During an exclusive interview with Bill Huber of Packers Central, Rodgers heaped praise on Love.
“It just comes down to being your own man and do things the way you want to do it. The things that he watched me do that he would do differently, do it differently. Be your own guy, that’s awesome. You should do that. He’s a great kid. He’s got all the talent in the world. They’ve got a really young team, so he’s got an opportunity to be exactly who he wants to be and be the leader that he wants to be. I’m excited for him.”
“He doesn’t have to be anybody but Jordan Love. Nobody plays Jordan Love better than Jordan Love, so he’s going to be fine.” (H/T Bleacher Report)
That is the sentiment that has been shared by everyone who has given Love some advice this offseason. During joint practices, the Packers held with the New England Patriots, their starting quarterback, Mac Jones, shared a similar sentiment.
Jones is attempting to replace Tom Brady, arguably the greatest quarterback of all time. Rodgers had to replace a legend in Favre in Green Bay, so he knows exactly what Love is going through.
Being himself is the most important thing. The new Packers signal caller should be looking to carve out his own path, not try and replicate ones that have been walked before him.
Knowing that a player of Rodgers’ caliber has faith in you getting the job done, has to feel good as well. Love is certainly set up for success in Green Bay with a great supporting cast and foundation being laid.
