When taking a look at the Green Bay Packers heading into the 2023 season, there are a lot of questions that come to mind. The overall inexperience of the roster will cause a lot of people to ask if they should have added more veterans this offseason to help offset some of the youth.
There are still some major question marks about the depth at some positions. The defensive line could use some more reinforcements and the safety position is full of what-ifs as the Packers hope someone rises to the occasion from the group.
However, the biggest question facing the Packers is the quarterback position. Quarterback is the most important position on the field and Green Bay will be turning to first-time starter, Jordan Love, to run the offense this year.
Love, a 2020 first-round pick out of Utah State, will be replacing the legendary Aaron Rodgers, who was traded to the New York Jets earlier this offseason. It is the dawn of a new era for the green and gold. The question of, whether Jordan Love is any good, is the biggest one the team faces in the opinion of Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
“This one is obvious. It’s not only the biggest question in Green Bay, but also one of the biggest across the entire league. We won’t know until Love gets consistent snaps in games that count, something that hasn’t happened in his first three years in the NFL. The Packers traded Aaron Rodgers while he was still capable of elite-level play and now general manager Brian Gutekunst’s job security might hinge on whether the gamble of handing the keys to his 2020 first-round pick pays off. Bears fans await with baited breath in hopes they’re not subject to a third consecutive Hall of Famer leading their arch rival.”
Love is certainly prepared for the role that he is stepping into as he has been learning behind Rodgers for the last three years. He has a ton of practice and preseason reps and the time is now for him to prove that he can be the long-term answer.
As Schneidman notes, the Chicago Bears are certainly hoping that the Packers miss on the quarterback position for once as they have been owned by Brett Favre and Rodgers for the majority of the last three decades. Green Bay, on the other hand, would love another Hall of Fame producer under center.
While all eyes will be on Love and how he plays, the depth behind him is also a major question mark. If something were to happen to him and Love was forced to miss time, the Packers would be in huge trouble.
Currently battling it out to be Love’s backup are fifth-round pick Sean Clifford and 2019 seventh-round pick Danny Etling. The team also signed USFL star Alex McGough earlier this offseason. Relying on any of those three to start games in the NFL would be a worst-case scenario for the Packers during the 2023 season.