Packers: Jordan Love gets big opportunity with Aaron Rodgers absent
Aaron Rodgers’ absence from OTAs has been one of the headline stories for the Green Bay Packers over the past couple of weeks. And that will continue should he miss next week’s three-day minicamp, which is mandatory.
However, while Rodgers stays away from the practice field in Green Bay, second-year quarterback Jordan Love is front and center, getting valuable snaps every day.
Love, the Packers’ top choice in the 2020 NFL Draft, barely got time to show what he could do last season as he was the team’s third-string QB behind Rodgers and Tim Boyle. It meant Boyle got more reps in practice while Love was inactive for each of the Packers’ games in the regular season and playoffs.
Due to the pandemic, there was no preseason either, taking away vital game time for Love.
But during OTAs this spring, and at minicamp should Rodgers not attend, Love is getting valuable time on the field with the coaching staff. And we shouldn’t underestimate the importance of this time.
There are some fascinating quotes in Matt Lombardo’s column for FanSided this week, including this one:
"“The reps are invaluable,” former NFL quarterback Sage Rosenfels tells FanSided. “They are the very same reps that helped Aaron when he was coming up, because Brett Favre wasn’t there a ton in the offseason at that time, either.”"
Speaking to Lombardo, Rosenfels makes a great point. In the same way Rodgers benefited from extra snaps when Favre wasn’t there, Love can do the same.
Had Rodgers turned up for OTAs, Love’s time would be far more limited on the practice field. Where he lost preseason last August, he’s now getting such important time, even if the top wide receivers aren’t currently there.
In Lombardo’s column, he also wrote about Love’s talent and potential.
"“He’s very talented,” Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy tells FanSided of Love, who played in the 2020 game. “He can make ‘wow’ plays with his arm look routine. He’s a high-end starter when it comes to his tools and ceiling.”"
It’s easy to forget that there’s a good reason why the Packers picked Love in the first round. Had they not traded up for him, another team likely would’ve picked him soon after. Maybe he’d already be starting elsewhere.
It’s hard to disagree with Nagy’s points, either. Love showed great potential at Utah State, particularly in the 2018 season when he threw for 32 touchdowns with only six interceptions.
As long as Rodgers isn’t back in Green Bay, Love will continue to get valuable reps on the practice field, especially if and when some of the veteran receivers return.
It’s now up to Love to show he can be ready if the Packers need him at any point in the regular season.