It's only fitting that Jordan Love went full Aaron Rodgers in his first and likely only matchup against the quarterback who mentored him for three years.
It's also painfully poetic that Love hit two milestones Rodgers never could. First, he tied Brett Favre's franchise record with 20 consecutive completions, and he then delivered Green Bay's first victory in Pittsburgh since Bart Starr was QB1 in 1970.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur has been there since Day 1 of the Love era. He saw him sit patiently for three years, learning everything he could while Rodgers doubled his MVP tally under LaFleur's watch. Love is undeniable now, and it all became worth it after his coming-of-age performance to defeat Rodgers' Steelers on Sunday Night Football.
"It's great for Jordan. Jordan's worked his a-- off to get here," LaFleur said postgame.
"He was patient throughout the process, throughout the journey, and he just took advantage of the opportunity. He really did. It's been cool, and I've said this many times, just to watch how he's matured as a young guy coming in here at 21 years old, and he's a grown a-- man now, and you see it. What he does, how he carries himself. He's so confident. He's a great teammate, he encourages the other guys, he's a hell of a leader, and he's really grown as a football player."
Jordan Love delivers a memorable performance to finally prove he's the Packers' next star
Packers fans already knew it, but Love is the guy, just like Rodgers and Favre before him. He made sure to silence any remaining doubters on Sunday Night Football.
Love completed 29 of 37 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns to earn a 134.2 rating, painting a masterpiece in front of arguably the Packers' greatest artist, the man who mentored Love.
It takes Love's season tally to 1,798 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. Per Next Gen Stats, he now has an EPA per dropback of plus-0.28, ranking second in the NFL behind only Daniel Jones. Love's Packers are 5-1-1 and sitting atop the NFC.
Statement win over Rodgers in primetime aside, Love is well and truly in the MVP conversation. He managed the game beautifully, taking what the defense gave him. If that meant checking it down, so be it. But when the time called for a shot downfield, Love struck gold.
He remains poised under pressure, and the situation is never too big for him.
In a game that featured so many storylines, so much emotion, and all the potential distractions you could ever dream of, Love remained ice cool and delivered arguably his greatest performance yet. And to any remaining doubters, Love proved he's the Packers' next superstar.
LaFleur put it best while talking to Larry McCarren postgame.
"The poise, the way he led our team, it was remarkable. We're lucky to have him."