Packers: 4 potential replacements for Jordan Love if he struggles in 2023
Jordan Love might become the Green Bay Packers' next superstar quarterback. He put in an impressive performance against the Philadelphia Eagles last season and has spent three years learning from a future Hall-of-Famer.
However, success isn't guaranteed. The Packers have enjoyed world-class quarterback play for three decades, but Love picking up where Aaron Rodgers left off is far from a certainty. The majority of young quarterbacks don't become multi-time MVP winners.
The Packers enter the unknown in 2023. Until they give Love extended playing time, they don't know how good he can be. We all hope Love dominates, and he certainly could, but what if the opposite is true? What if Love struggles this season?
Love only has one year remaining on his rookie deal, although Green Bay can exercise a fifth-year option this offseason.
What options could the Packers have?
Packers could draft Hendon Hooker in 2023
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is on the Packers' radar. ESPN's Matt Miller reported earlier this month that Hooker had a pre-draft visit with Green Bay.
Hooker is projected to go in either the first or second round. If he falls to Day 2, it wouldn't be surprising if the Packers drafted him not only as a backup for Love, but also as an insurance policy. They did the same in 2008 by drafting Brian Brohm in the second round ahead of Aaron Rodgers' first season as a starter.
In 11 games last season, Hooker threw for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns with only two interceptions. He also rushed for 430 yards and five touchdowns. He was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-SEC.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com has Hooker ranked third at quarterback in this year's draft class, ahead of Anthony Richardson and Will Levis.
"The athletic Tennessee product throws pinpoint darts to his intended targets at every range, deftly manages an offense and plays the game like a seasoned pro," wrote Brooks.
Hooker suffered a torn ACL in November, so it's unclear if he'll be ready before the start of the 2023 season.
He would begin as a backup to Jordan Love. However, if the Packers decided to make a QB change next year, Hooker would be a candidate.