3 realistic veteran quarterback options for Packers after Aaron Rodgers

Blake Bortles

I know, I know. Hardly the name many will want to see as QB1. But hear me out.

What if the Packers feel Love still needs some more time to develop? Aaron Rodgers sat on the bench for three years. Maybe they see a similar timeframe being necessary for Love. In that case, assuming Rodgers is gone, the Packers would need to bring in a veteran QB to take the reins for a year.

That’s where Blake Bortles could make sense. The former third-overall pick spent time with the Packers over the summer, and also backed up Love when Rodgers was on the reserve/COVID-19 list a couple of weeks ago. Clearly, the Packers like Bortles as they’ve had him on the roster in recent months, and he’s also learnt the offense.

If Rodgers departs but the team feels Love needs more time, rather than rushing their young QB into a starting job, they could bring back Bortles for a year. Bortles has 73 career starts to his name and was part of a Jacksonville Jaguars team that reached the AFC Championship Game in 2017.

Chances are the Packers wouldn’t win many games, but if it’s the best decision long-term to give Love more time, then it makes sense. It would give the team a year to rebuild without rushing their future starter in, while also likely getting a high draft pick for 2023.