Packers draft Jordan Love: Why everyone needs to R-E-L-A-X

After the Green Bay Packers traded up for quarterback Jordan Love, fans are not happy, but here’s why everyone needs to take a step back and breathe.

The Packers were just a game away from the Super Bowl last season. Their season ended after San Francisco ran all over them in the NFC Championship Game. Like most fans, I thought about how close they were and if they just add another receiver, linebacker, and some help at defensive line, they are right there and could contend for a championship next season.

Looking at all the mock drafts, I had an idea in my head of what I would like the Packers to do. I heard reports that the Packers loved Jordan Love, but I didn’t think there was a chance they’d draft him. It’s too early. Aaron Rodgers is still the man and is under contract for four more years. Why would they draft a quarterback?

Then it happened. In fact, they even traded up for him. Granted, it was just swapping firsts and giving up a fourth-round pick, which is honestly, not all that valuable. But just trading up shows they wanted him before anyone else could snag him.

The Colts were a hot team linked to Love as well, maybe they were planning on trading up to get him and Brian Gutekunst wanted to get there first. Well, turns out the Colts didn’t even call to try to move up. So the Packers probably could have waited at 30 and take him then.

But here’s the thing: he was their guy. He was the guy they wanted. I get that Packer fans are mad that they didn’t draft someone who would help right now. But look at who’s available. If they took a tackle, people would have been mad because that doesn’t necessarily help right now. At receiver, there are still a lot of guys who can come in and help that can be taken in the second round. Tee Higgins, Denzel Mims, Michael Pittman Jr…etc. There are still playmakers available.

My point is, the Packers still have eight other draft picks to use to help right now. Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur saw a player they really liked at the most important position in football. This was a move for the future. I get the loyalty to Aaron Rodgers. As a fan, I want Rodgers to be QB1 for the Packers for as long as he wants to be. But as fans, we also need to look through the lens of post-Rodgers. I, like a lot of other fans, have only known Brett Favre and Rodgers as the quarterback for the Packers. I have been spoiled, and honestly, I’d like to stay that way.

Love has a ton of upside. Sure, he has some issues with interceptions and forcing some passes by trying to do too much. But is there anyone better to learn from in that area than Rodgers? Now, I’m not expecting Rodgers to become best friends with Love, but going through what he went through with Favre, Rodgers knows what it’s like in that position. I firmly believe Rodgers will be a good role model for Love and will teach him a ton. I think Love has a chance to be a very good quarterback in the future.

And let’s not forget, he’s just 21 years old. Joe Burrow is 23. Love has time to sit and learn before he is going to be asked to play. He will get to sit behind one of the best to do it and learn, just like Rodgers did with Favre, and that turned out pretty well.

This shouldn’t add a ton of pressure to Rodgers. Sure, it might bother Rodgers a little, but let’s be honest, he shouldn’t have a hard time beating Love out for the job. But maybe in a few years, Love passes him, wouldn’t you want the better quarterback to play to give the Packers the best chance to win?

My final thought and I’m sure it isn’t a popular opinion, but this move makes sense. I don’t think the Packers made this move to signal to Rodgers his time is coming to an end in Green Bay. I think they want to be prepared for whenever Rodgers decides that he is done. They don’t want to be drafting a quarterback when they have to and throw them into the fire right away.

Love is clearly a player they really like and think he is the future. So why not take him, let him sit and learn the system so when it is his time, he’s ready to step in and lead the Packers to success in the future.

So we all need to sit back, relax, and see what else the Packers do to help Rodgers win now. They could still go out and get Higgins, Pittman, or Mims, then draft a tackle in the third round and then maybe even trade up for another pick in the third round and grab another guy who could come in sooner and make an impact. Let’s all enjoy watching the draft and maybe feel a little better knowing the future beyond Aaron Rodgers is possibly secure and in good hands.