Packers trade up to select QB Jordan Love in first round of 2020 NFL Draft

The Green Bay Packers may have found Aaron Rodgers’ successor.

The 2020 NFL Draft is underway, and the Packers have selected quarterback Jordan Love out of Utah State. The Packers traded up four positions to move up to No. 26 from No. 30, swapping places with the Miami Dolphins. Green Bay gave up its fourth-rounder (No. 136 overall) in return, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Wow. That’s the only word to describe this. Not only have the Packers gone with a quarterback in the first round, but they traded up to do so. Clearly, GM Brian Gutekunst believes Love can be the future of this franchise, and he’s willing to sacrifice a top prospect who can help in the short term to make it happen.

Green Bay drafted Aaron Rodgers in 2005 when Brett Favre was still the starter. Rodgers would sit for three years before eventually taking over, but that time to sit and learn served him well. Gutekunst will believe Love can be the long-term answer to Rodgers, who he’ll now get to learn from in the coming years.

This was a bold move by the Packers and one that will undoubtedly draw criticism from many, but it could pay off huge. If Love develops into the player Gutekunst will be hoping, it could set this franchise up for a number of winning seasons beyond Rodgers’ career.

Many believed the Packers would go with a wide receiver in the first round, but after watching CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jalen Reagor all come off the board, Gutekunst decided to move up for his QB of the future.

What are your thoughts on Green Bay’s first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft? It’s one that will divide opinions among fans. Follow along with Lombardi Ave for all of the latest reaction and analysis to the pick.