The preseason has concluded and reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers didn't play a single down. Nonetheless, Rodgers is ready to begin his 14th season as the Packers' starting quarterback, which he's hinted may be a "last dance" in Green Bay.
Whether that's true or not, fans can rest assured that the Packers will remain contenders for at least one more season, with the future Hall of Famer under center and a Jordan Love era that will begin more gracefully a year from now, rather than in trial-by-fire fashion.
Love's Preseason
To be fair, most would agree that Love's preseason preseason performance exhibited overall progress from a year ago, aided by run-heavy play calling and high-percentage pass plays that just moved the chains. He confirmed the arm strength that made him a widely-accepted first-round prospect in 2020 and demonstrated familiarity with head coach Matt LaFleur's offense. He even seemed more comfortable under pressure, able to sense a collapsing pocket and find outlets underneath that avoided sacks.
However, with this progression also came a few ugly, learning moments. One throw that landed in the arms of former Packer Micah Hyde, in particular, should have never been made. Coachable? Yes. Out of his system? Probably not yet. It will require many more opportunities against first-string defenses - like the one he faced in Buffalo - to graduate Love's game to the next level.
...and, more tactically-speaking, position him to effectively manage the offense.
As the Packers' only backup QB on the active roster, Love's ability to move from "crawl" to "walk" within the offense - in other words, "game manage" - is what needs to be the focus when LaFleur grooms Love as the team's next signal caller.
Some History
You don't want to hear it: but history suggests that Rodgers may be overdue for another mid-season injury - such as his broken collarbone injury four years ago, the one from four years before that or the concussion he suffered in 2010.
In Rodgers' first two extended absences, the Packers had some level of stability at quarterback, with Matt Flynn - a tailormade game manager - helping keep the Packers in most games. The most recent: an utter lack of damage control under Brett Hundley that cost the Packers a shot at the postseason.
What Hundley didn't do well was operate within head coach Mike McCarthy's system. He lacked decisiveness as a passer, frequently using his legs to pick up first downs, and had trouble executing the play calls designed to mask the void left by Rodgers, such as screens and flat passes. Most critically, Hundley had trouble taking care of the football, turning the ball over 16 times in nine starts.
Setting Expectations
Needless to say, Love must be able to do much better than Hundley. But, just as Rodgers experienced, the evolution from highly-touted draft pick to starting-caliber QB to premier passer in the NFL is a process. One cannot expect Love to play anywhere close to Rodgers' level when time comes to take over as a starter.
Instead, his benchmark may be the kind of performance that Rodgers showed in relief action during a late-2007 game versus the Cowboys - a game that the Packers went on to lose but proved to be important confirmation of his ability to effectively manage an offense full of pro bowlers. What Rodgers did well was a) take care of the football and b) let the talent around him make plays. He finished with a highly-efficient line in just over a half of play: 201 yards passing, one touchdown and no interceptions.
In Summary
With arguably even more talent present in this year's supporting cast, the same should be expected of Love. Part of GM Brian Gutekunst's transition plan all along may, in fact, have been the assessment of whether Love can keep the offense afloat in games where Rodgers is unavailable, much the way Rodgers did for Favre in 2007.
While the Packers' offense is loaded with plenty of skill position talent in Aaron Jones, Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, its production in a scenario without Rodgers is 100% predicated on Love's readiness as a game manager.
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