NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Green Bay Packers fell to the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night in what was a close game by score but way out of reach from the Packers on a talent level. With Aaron Rodgers sitting out due to COVID Protocols, the starting nod went to his backup Jordan Love.
For the past year, Love has sat behind Rodgers waiting patiently for his shot at NFL stardom. Well, to put it short, this game was not his best first impression. Unlike Rodgers who sat behind Brett Favre, Love clearly was not ready to step into Rodgers’ shoes.
But this is not about the game as it’s more about the future of Love, the Packers, and Rodgers.
During the offseason, it was widely speculated that Rodgers may have played his last game for the Packers. However, bruised egos were smoothed over and Rodgers, for one more season at least, decided to give the Packers one more year under center.
Although the Packers’ brass and Rodgers have not seen eye to eye over the years, it was in the Packers best interest if Rodgers returned. But after what happened against the Chiefs, the Packers may need to mend more fences with Rodgers.
Jordan Love is not a starter. Well, at least not right away. Although it was just one game, Love looked every bit confused and scared on the field. The Packers’ defense played a great game but Love at the helm, they didn’t really have a chance. His passes were either short or off-target and there was no chemistry with his receivers. During a timeout late in the game, he stayed on the field and was forced to come to the sideline by a coach to get instructions.
There’s a good chance this was a one-game blimp on his NFL resume. But in front of a national audience and what was billed as the Game of The Week, Love showed just why Rodgers is needed in Green Bay.
But this is where things can get weird for the Packers and Love. At the end of the season, the Packers face another issue. Rodgers will eat up $40M of their cap. And not to be forgotten is that Love is up for his rookie extension. But with no real playing time, the Packers have no idea what Love brings to the table.
What if Rodgers decides to call it a career or revisit his stance that he wants to be traded again? This will put the team in a tight spot. While Rodgers is a bonafide MVP candidate every season, not many teams will be willing to forgo high picks or dissolve their roster of young talent for a player inching close to 40-years old.
For Aaron Rodgers, this is the dream scenario. While fences were mended this offseason, this issue with COVID and his desire to want to be included in the team’s decisions will be something he thinks about this offseason. If he returns and continues to play at full strength, that places Love back on the bench and the Packers QB scene up in limbo.
Right now, Rodgers has all the cards. He knew Love wasn’t ready. The team knew Love wasn’t ready. And after Sunday night, the world knows Love isn’t ready. Somewhere, Rodgers is laughing his ass off.
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