Jordan Love is a good quarterback. We’ve seen enough between last season and this one that we can at least say that. Is he a truly great player however? I believe so, I just wish the franchise that opted to pay him 55 million dollars would feel the same way.
I understand how those two things might seem incongruous. After all, they paid him that money, so they obviously must think he’s great right? If they do then they need to truly put the offense in his hands rather than when it’s already too late.
Obviously injuries played a role in his season. Between the knee and the groin injuries, it seemed like Love wasn’t as willing to step into throws in the pocket or scramble when plays broke down.
Jordan Love has never been a rusher like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson but in 2023 he was able to pick up yards with his legs when it mattered most. This year his scramble attempts were down, and he picked up fewer yards when he did it.
Despite his WR corp being plagued with injuries and drops, his own injuries, and a smattering of poor decisions reminiscent of his first half of 2023, Love still put up real numbers.
I bring this up because far too often Green Bay seemed determined to be a running team first. Being able to run the ball is great, but not at the expense of your QB being able to get into a rhythm.
Green Bay’s offensive line is a pass blocking group. Outside of maybe Sean Rhyan, the rest of the front are much better pass protectors than run blockers. Josh Jacobs, who I really like and had a solid season, is not Saquan Barkley. The team should be passing more and passing early to open up the run game for Jacobs, not the other way around.
How Green Bay Can Get Jordan Love Back on Track
There are three things in my mind that Green Bay can do this offseason to make sure they maximize the investment they’ve made.
- 1. Improve the WR room. While I like each member of the group individually, it’s obvious that something was missing this season. Christian Watson was a game changer and finally seemed to figure out his hamstring issue. Then blew his knee out. Romeo Doubs had multiple concussions in addition to issues with the team that led to a suspension. Wicks and Reed both couldn’t hold on to the ball. Green Bay needs to add to the room, whether that is a free agent like Tee Higgins. An old friend like Davante Adams who may or may not be released by the Jets. Or even a high draft pick. Whatever it ends up being, Green Bay can’t go into 2025 doing the same thing.
2. Get the tight ends involved more. Obviously this is something that injuries played a factor into with regards to Luke Musgrave, but Tucker Kraft was a revelation this year
This ties back in with the idea of giving Love more opportunities early on. Kraft and Musgrave can be game changers with the opportunity, let them get into a rhythm early!
3. Fortify the Offensive Line. This is obviously dependent on what Green Bay decides to do with Josh Myers. If they move on then it becomes imperative that they figure out who will man the center position. Do they move Elgton Jenkins or Zach Tom? Do they add somebody via the draft? Where does last years first rounder Jordan Morgan slot in? Continuity on the line has been one of Green Bay’s biggest strengths over the past few years, and if they want to maximize their QB they can’t afford to let that slip now.
2025 is a big year for Green Bay, for Jordan Love, and for Matt LaFleur. Teams win Super Bowls because of their QBs. Green Bay has a guy that can do it, they just need to trust him.