Packers: Is Jordan Love ready to become the starter?

As Aaron Rodgers continues to mull retirement, rumors are swirling about what his future with the Green Bay Packers holds.

With former first-round QB Jordan Love waiting in the wings, the Packers could have a tough decision to make for their starter at quarterback.

There have been reports stating that, even if Rodgers does want to continue playing, Green Bay may decide to move on from him.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently reported that the Packers trading Rodgers “feels more possible than ever.”

The possibility does remain that Rodgers comes back as the Packers quarterback once again in 2023. However, the rampant trade speculation along with Rodgers’ disappointing performance last season makes this scenario way more unlikely than in previous years.

Although there are many arguments for the Packers and Aaron Rodgers to both move on from their longtime partnership, the team may pursue this split only if they had a viable replacement.

As such, if the Packers do end up trading Rodgers, a key factor in their decision will be their confidence in the development of Jordan Love.

How do the Packers feel about Jordan Love?

On the most recent “Around the NFL” podcast, the show’s analysts had a segment in which they discussed fluid quarterback situations in the league.

When they discussed the possibility of an Aaron Rodgers trade, NFL analyst Gregg Rosenthal said that the decisive component for a trade is the Packers’ belief in Jordan Love.

Rosenthal stated that he has gotten the feeling over the last year that Green Bay feels Love has improved significantly within that time. Love’s abilities were displayed in an impressive relief outing he had against the eventual NFC-champion Eagles in Week 12.

In the game, Jordan Love showed improved accuracy, decisiveness, and playmaking as he finished 6/9 for 113 yards, one touchdown, and a 146.8 passer rating.

Love threw his lone touchdown as he connected in stride with Christian Watson on a slant route Watson took to the end zone for a 63-yard score. This provided all Packers fans with a glimpse at the exciting potential for this young and dynamic duo.

Jordan Love as the 2023 starter?

Rosenthal added that Green Bay would not want to trade Rodgers if they did not think they can win the division with Love at the helm.

If the Packers do feel that Love’s improvement is legitimate and sustainable, then it feels inevitable that Rodgers will be traded. In this case, Love would go into the season as the unquestioned starter and be given every opportunity to demonstrate his immense talent.

After Love has sat for the last three seasons, the same number in which Rodgers sat behind Brett Favre, it may finally be time for Green Bay to give Love a chance to start.

Hopefully for the Packers and their fans, this transition will go as smoothly and successfully as the last one.