The Lass Word: Jordan Love Makes History of Sorts

Will his time ever come in Green Bay?

Green Bay’s Jordan Love has just finished one of the most unique regular seasons in modern NFL history.   He was a quarterback taken in the first round of the draft who didn’t see the field for a single play during his rookie year. 

 

It’s been 15 years since that has happened in the NFL.   The last rookie first round pick who never got on the field was Washington’s Jason Campbell in 2005.   In fact, every first round QB has started at least one game in his rookie year since 2011.   That was the season Jake Locker had to settle for five non-starting appearances for the Tennessee Titans. 

 

Love was one of 4 signal callers taken in the first round in 2020.   Of the other three, Joe Burrow started ten games before getting hurt for the Bengals, Tua Tagovailoa started nine games for the Dolphins, and Justin Herbert started 15 contests for the Chargers. 

 

But none of those players were drafted by a team that had a Hall of Fame quarterback still playing for them, much less one who was having an MVP season. 

 

To get some perspective on how unusual Love’s situation was, I researched the last 15 seasons since Campbell sat the bench throughout.   During that time, there were just three rookie QB’s who didn’t start at least one game.   Johnny Manziel appeared in two games with no starts for the Browns in 2014.   Brady Quinn appeared in just one game, with no starts, also for the Browns in 2007. 

 

And back in 2005, there was a fellow named Aaron Rodgers, who played behind legendary Brett Favre, who appeared in three games, but no starts. 

 

Just because you don’t play much, or not at all, in your first season, doesn’t mean you won’t be a good player.   Patrick Mahomes started just one game as a rookie in 2017.   He went on to be a regular season and Super Bowl MVP.   Then, of course, there is perhaps the best example,  Rodgers himself.   In his first three years with the Packers, he started not a single game.   Now he’s a first ballot Hall of Famer. 

 

Back in the old days, it was not unusual at all for a rookie quarterback to sit on the bench his rookie year.   Prior to Rodgers, the Packers hadn’t drafted a quarterback in the first round since 1981 when they selected Rich Campbell.   Campbell didn’t start a single game in his entire four year career with Green Bay.   Prior to that, Green Bay took Jerry Tagge in 1972.   He had no starts that year.   Don Horn was selected in the first round of 1967.   He had no starts and just four appearances his first two years. 

 

But that was then.   These days the great majority of first round picks play and start almost right away.   In the last five years, every first round QB has started at least six games in their rookie year.   The only exceptions were the aforementioned Mahomes, and Paxton Lynch, who started just two games for Denver in 2016. 

 

The more relevant question for the Packers is, will Jordan Love’s day ever come in Green Bay?   The team likely drafted Love figuring Rodgers would gradually decline over the next two or three years.   But the 2020 season has blown that strategy out of the water.   Rather than decline, Rodgers is actually getting better.   Statistically, this is the second best season of his career.   He is the leading candidate for his third MVP award.   He is keeping his body in excellent shape.   He has one of the best offensive lines in the game to protect him.   He seems to love his coaches and his teammates.   And most importantly, he is winning.   The Packers are 27-7 with QB12 at the controls over the last two years.    

 

Rodgers is 37 years old.   As Tom Brady has shown, these days a quarterback can play football at a high level  into their 40’s.    Where does that leave Jordan Love? 

 

I have to believe the Packers want Love to win the back-up quarterback job over Tim Boyle in the 2021 preseason.     Ideally, he would get a heavy dose of experience playing preseason ball over the next three years, after which Rodgers would retire, allowing Love to take over and become the next great Packer quarterback.     

But that scenario seems unlikely.   I just don’t see him waiting on the sidelines three more seasons, which is when Rodgers’ contract ends.   Certainly he does not want to waste four years of his career carrying a clipboard.     It’s a good bet he would be traded before then for draft capital. 

 

Of course, there’s always the chance that Rodgers  gets hurt , and Love would get his opportunity to shine.    But will he ever be The Man in Green Bay?    I have my doubts. 

 

OUTTAKES

Looking back at Bears game:

•  Kevin King has taken flack for dropping an interception in the end zone, but it is likely he didn't see the ball until the last second.   There was traffic in front of him.   I have problems with King but he gets a pass from me on this play. 

•  How in the world did the officials miss that false start on Bears OL Alex Bars?   Mitch Trubisky's quarterback sneak on 4th down picked up the first down, but Bars clearly lurched forward before the snap and several Packers tried in vain to point it out.

•  I think my favorite play in this game was the very last one.   With the outcome long decided, Jimmy Graham catches a pass and appears headed toward the end zone for a meaningless, garbage time touchdown.   But Jaire Alexander will have none of it.   At the one yard line, Jaire, who is half the size of Graham, jolts him backwards and keeps him short of the goal line.   That was a matter of pride.   How can you not love a guy who plays that way?

 

Looking forward:

•  I have this funny feeling the Bears are going to shock the world and upset New Orleans this weekend, setting up a return match with Green Bay.   Am I drunk?

•  They would never admit it, but I'm guessing the Packer players are privately hoping for another shot at Tampa Bay, this time on the frozen tundra.   That drubbing they took in Tampa has to have stuck in their craw.

•   We're hearing lots of buzz about whose getting interviewed for the vacant head coaching jobs around the league, but I have yet to hear of Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett's name come up.   That should change once his season is over.

•  Tight end Dominique Dafney, who joined the team as an undrafted free agent around week five of the season, told the media today (Thursday) that he was working as a bouncer at a rooftop bar in Des Moines, Iowa when he got the call from the Packers.   Now he's bouncing defenders out of the way for Green Bay running backs, not to mention catching his first career TD pass in the Bears game. 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.

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15 points
 

Comments (76)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Coldworld's picture

January 07, 2021 at 03:38 pm

Hackett is now getting at least one Interview. You were right.

To be perverse, judging by the recent success rate of QBs, maybe taking the chance to go the old way might increase the chance of a successful outcome?

6 points
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dobber's picture

January 07, 2021 at 03:41 pm

Yep...the Falcons.

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2021/01/falcons-interview-nathaniel-ha...

It's a copycat league, and OCs on successful offenses seem to be popular choices for HC. The challenge for LaF will be maintaining success with a revolving door of assistants.

3 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 07, 2021 at 03:49 pm

The people who extended Rodgers are the same people who drafted Love. Do you think they plan to not play Love?

Is Love going to be the first, first round pick to win a Super Bowl as a rookie?

-2 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 07, 2021 at 06:28 pm

Will Love be a healthy scratch for the Div. Rd. Game? The Conf. Championship game and the Super Bowl should GB reach those games?

There is a good chance Love will be inactive for all of the above.

8 points
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Swisch's picture

January 07, 2021 at 06:40 pm

Regardless, reynoldo, a start to his career similar to Rodgers and Mahomes doesn't preclude Love from future success in the NFL, even greatness.
We just don't know how he'll do, unless someone has good inside information apparently not available to nearly everyone else outside of the Packers.
Let's give the guy at least a little love.
By the way, who thought that Josh Allen would fill the Bills as well as he does now?

6 points
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Guam's picture

January 08, 2021 at 08:54 am

The issue isn't Jordan Love, it is what could have been. We are all Packer fans and all hope Love is the third consecutive Packer HOF QB. However Love won't help win a SB this year and that is the source of irritation for those of us who prefer a more "win now" mindset. The Packers could have had DL Blacklock from TCU or DL Davis from Alabama at the #1 (or even traded back a bit to get those guys) and a WR or ILB at the #4 choice - both of which would be much more help to the Packers playoff run than Love.

What's done is done and that Packers will have to win with what they have. However if they come up short this year, Gute and the fans will have to live with the "what if" question about Love. Hopefully he does become the next great Packer QB.

0 points
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canadapacker's picture

January 08, 2021 at 09:45 am

""Every player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft will automatically have a Fifth-Year Option added in his contract. This option cannot be separately attached to the player contract.
The option allows a team to retain a player’s rights for five years rather than the standard four, which is the bonus of selecting a player in the first round. In order to extend the contract, the team must inform the player during the period between the last regular season game of his third contract year and May 3 of the next League Year (Art. 7, Sec. 7, (a), 31).""

So if he turns into a Rodgers - we will see over time and we dont need to do anything ie start him until year 5. So we have one year down and we have what?? First round bye. And it is guaranteed that we would be in the same position had we picked somebody other than Love - NO there are not guarantees. So we can still improve the team with AR for 3 more years and still be in a position to make it to the playoffs. And AR's skills appear not to be diminishing.

4 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 08, 2021 at 10:42 am

Hey Guam....Rodgers didn’t help us win as a rookie.

The draft is about the future. Always. There is nobody we could have taken at 30 who would have made TahR difference.

2 points
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canadapacker's picture

January 08, 2021 at 11:42 am

Totally agree and while it is hindsight - in looking at the 202 draft now - nobody would have helped us where we were picking at 30 and when we picked Dillon - he now appears to be the best of the bunch - even with only one really good game but some nice glimpses of what he can bring to us. So at 62 there is nobody out there is maybe no receiver that is so far this year better than what we had on our roster plus we didnt know that Funchess was going to opt out.

3 points
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Guam's picture

January 08, 2021 at 01:39 pm

Hi LH! Disagree about not being able to draft anyone who would have made a difference. The two DL's I mentioned are both playing regularly with their teams; the WR crowd could point to Claypool and his accomplishments with the Steelers; etc. etc. There are players who would have helped. Would the Packers have drafted them if they hadn't taken Love - who knows?

Both you and Swisch said it - this is about the present versus the future. I think winning a SB is extremely hard, so I have more of a "win now" philosophy. Others have a preference for drafting for the future. Neither is right or wrong, just different philosophies.

BTW, Rodgers didn't help us win as a rookie, but drafting Rodgers didn't help Favre win a SB either......

3 points
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canadapacker's picture

January 08, 2021 at 05:16 pm

Once Love was picked Claypool was gone - before Dillon. When Rodgers was drafted the Pack didnt make the playoffs - but 2 years later under MM they went 13-3 and of course the infamous playoff interception against the eventual Superbowl Champs Giants. So your point about Rodgers not helping Favre win a SB is a non point because the team must be pretty good win that many games . It took MM 3 seasons to teach 4 to stop throwing the ball to the other team

2 points
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Guam's picture

January 09, 2021 at 07:41 am

You missed both points.

If the Packers don't draft Love, they could have drafted Claypool with their #1 pick and Dillion with their #2.

The Packers went 13-3 and mis-fired against the Giants. Suppose they didn't draft Rodgers but had drafted another playmaker instead. They might have beaten the Giants with that additional playmaker and gone on to win the SB. All conjecture, but that is the point about drafting for the future versus drafting for the present. Do you maximize the present or the future?

1 points
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canadapacker's picture

January 09, 2021 at 09:16 am

Those are both incorrect - and I am going to be polite. First off - I would have gone D this year instead of Love - but I dont see anybody there who is really outstanding for this years team - and why would you pick a player that got selected at 49 at 30? And my Canadian boy was not rated to go that high and there would have been others such as Higgin and Pittman Jr.and they are not that outstanding or better than what we had on the roster. When TT picked AR the Pack went 4-12 and they fired Sherman - then they went 8-8 the first year for MM - and if you remember the Pack would have made the playoffs at 9-7 except #4 threw one of his INTs at the other teams goal line to lose a game. So the bottom line is your argument doesnt cut it as far as AR was picked 2 years before 4 and the team went 13-3. So why would you assume that if they picked somebody else, they would have been better? And if you look at that draft I dont see a whole bunch of stars or HOF guys selected from where TT took 12 down to where he took Nick Collins.

1 points
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Guam's picture

January 10, 2021 at 08:39 am

You don't draft a guy at #49 with the 30th pick - you trade back. Teams trade up or down all the time and I mentioned the Packers should trade back in my first post. In that same post I mentioned two DL that have both come on for their teams during the second half of the year (which is pretty common for rookies) - Davis and Blacklock. Both would have helped our run defense. And yes, the Packers should have traded back for either of them and not drafted them at #30.

Taking Rodgers was actually a major debate among Packer fans at the time and Favre was openly and publicly critical of Packer management for drafting a QB rather than more immediate help. I didn't invent this issue, that debate actually happened. I was using the parallel between the Rodgers / Favre situation to make my point about Rodgers / Love. I also stated this was all conjecture, but the possibility existed that taking someone else at #1 that year might have helped the Packers get to the SB two years later (much of the debate was about getting Favre more weapons which is surprisingly similar to the debate that happened this year).

Again, "what if" scenarios are always conjecture and nothing can be proven or disproven. I was simply stating a possibility.

0 points
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Swisch's picture

January 08, 2021 at 11:37 am

Most rookies wouldn't have helped us this season, maybe next.
A few rookies make an impact right away, most don't.
It usually takes a while for even early picks like Gary and Savage to learn the pro game and get the feel of it. I don't remember Clarke excelling his first season.
It may be that the Packers would have taken a more immediate player in the first round if someone they really liked was available, but by then there wasn't.
It may be that they saw Jordan Love as a bargain with the talent to be a top-five pick in the entire draft, but devalued due to a down year at Utah, and more or less a lack of refinement in the craft of quarterbacking.
I'm wondering if the guys you mention who were available in the draft, or any others who were good alternatives, would really be helping the Packers right now.
Anyway, Guam, I agree that your general point is a good one. It's a tough call for a front office to balance the present with the future.
At this point, we don't really have much to go on as far as whether Love was a good pick (which was probably true of Rodgers after his rookie year.)
In a season or two, Love could be already a dud; or he could be a budding star.
It's hard to be patient, but we don't want to show negativity to Love.
It's a little like getting a baseball glove as a great present for Christmas, but not being able to enjoy it much until the spring.

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 07, 2021 at 07:40 pm

True fact. Then he’d be the first, first round QB to be inactive for the Super Bowl....

-2 points
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canadapacker's picture

January 07, 2021 at 10:24 pm

This sure has been a weird year - and he probably would not have developed enough of the skills etc to be a good backup this year. I mean no OTA's, limited training camp and limited in persons skills training and evaluations compared to a normal year. However he did get to be in the quarterback room and he did get some limited snaps and practice with the team so it was not a total loss. However hopefully when the spread of this sttt has settled by next July and August real OTAs and preseason etc will help him show his skills.

6 points
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PeteK's picture

January 08, 2021 at 08:07 am

Who gives a flying #%$& at a rolling donut.

-1 points
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crayzpackfan's picture

January 08, 2021 at 09:59 pm

Has there ever been, in the history of the NFL where a first round pick became Mr. Irrelevant?

0 points
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Bure9620's picture

January 07, 2021 at 07:33 pm

Exactly.......

1 points
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chaka's picture

January 08, 2021 at 02:37 pm

He will never play a down for the packers.

-1 points
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PearlyBakerBest's picture

January 07, 2021 at 03:48 pm

Not surprising about Graham. Except for one time which is suspect, he routinely went down like a ton of bricks a yard short of the first the moment he was touched by a corner.

4 points
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PeteK's picture

January 08, 2021 at 08:12 am

Or when he had to block. What a difference between Tonyan and him. Plus, he keeps things loose with his funny antics.

0 points
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SpikeHyzer's picture

January 07, 2021 at 03:50 pm

Agree about Kevin King. He also had his very best game of the season according to PFF, yet fans here and on some other sites ripped into him again. MVS also finished as the 17th best receiver in the league by DVOA.

I think the scenario you laid out is exactly what happens.

Bears will give NO a game, but it's tough to call.

Another note to zealous fans: BOTH the opening kick off and the fumble by Kmet were bad calls that should have been overturned. It's a wash (even if that sort of opening possession would have set the tone).

4 points
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Stroh's picture

January 07, 2021 at 10:26 pm

"et fans here and on some other sites ripped into him again."

And this explains why you should NEVER listen to what fans have to say. 90% of the times fans are uninformed at best and borderline idiotic at worst.

Listen to credible writers among the teams media. Get good info and use rational thought. It won't make you popular but it will make you informed, not a sheople!

2 points
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PeteK's picture

January 08, 2021 at 08:27 am

Thank you for that public announcement, Stroh. ..... and now on to a new Brazilian waxing for one's testicles( just got that on one of the infolinks) Hahahahaha

1 points
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Lphill's picture

January 07, 2021 at 03:50 pm

Again chatter online of JJ Watt wanting out of Houston if they release him it doesn't hurt their cap , Watt says GB is his number 1 destination , no doubt he would play for the veteran minimum , as far as Love nothing I read about him or see on film makes me think he's anything special but this offense similar to San Fran is built for an average QB if you research it , the QB needs to be a game manager in Green Bay they just happen to have a genius playing QB which makes it more dangerous.

-5 points
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wildbill's picture

January 07, 2021 at 04:20 pm

Love JJ but don’t watch the Houston team much so not sure what he has left in the tank. But if he would come for the vet minimum I think I’m behind it but I doubt he would play for that

8 points
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dobber's picture

January 08, 2021 at 08:35 am

You would have to limit his snaps to get the most out of him.

0 points
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PeteK's picture

January 07, 2021 at 05:57 pm

32 TDs , only 6 INTs and 7 rushing TDs in 2018 seem special to me.

5 points
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PeteK's picture

January 08, 2021 at 08:26 am

He would be a great addition because he could play on the outside and interior of the D line on a rotational basis. Offer him a bit over the veteran minimum with some incentives.

1 points
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dobber's picture

January 08, 2021 at 08:34 am

The question is: based on what he would need to be paid and the limited snaps he would likely need to play due to his injury history, is he better than what the Packers have?

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 08, 2021 at 05:10 pm

Yes

0 points
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fastmoving's picture

January 08, 2021 at 10:55 am

Yeah sure "No doubt he would play for the veteran minimum"?!! First you dont watch any games, then you dont know where Brady is playing and now that.

But at least we could agree it would be nice if we win a SB and at that time the biggest unamerican disgrace will be in jail and a lot of usefull deplorable idiots and half of Fox News Stuff with them!!
The only thing we can be sure yet, is if we really win it all. Just they kneel all the time.

But Love was a great pick. He has values, just Packer People

-2 points
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dobber's picture

January 07, 2021 at 03:53 pm

"I have this funny feeling the Bears are going to shock the world and upset New Orleans this weekend, setting up a return match with Green Bay."

I think they have a puncher's chance if they get some of their CBs back and if the Saints are without their RBs. There's always an upset or two opening weekend.

" Am I drunk?""

That's a wholly different question...

"but I'm guessing the Packer players are privately hoping for another shot at Tampa Bay, this time on the frozen tundra. "

As a side note, all of the Yuc's losses this year came to playoff teams (they ended up 1-5 in games against 20-21 playoff teams with their one win against GB). The Packers were 4-2 against 20-21 playoff teams (losses to Colts and Yucs on the road). This Packers team has to be a pretty confident one right now, and you just line up and play the team the league sends to GB next week...but TB is the team I hope gets upset in round 1.

8 points
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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

January 07, 2021 at 09:59 pm

We can give the Bears a third beat down AND trounce the Bucs in the NFC Championship game. The only problem with that scenario is I’d like us to beat the Sea Chickens as well.

1 points
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dobber's picture

January 10, 2021 at 09:44 am

I wanted to see SEA beat the Rams, if only because the Packers have matched up well with SEA in recent years. The Rams D will pose problems for the Packers that they won't see from any other team in the tournament (except maybe TB).

0 points
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ricky's picture

January 07, 2021 at 04:44 pm

Rodgers is having a career year, no doubt about it. But then again, Favre took the Vikings to the championship game in 2009 at age 40, after a great season. The next year, he was done. Will that happen with Rodgers? Probably not, but no one beats age. In 2022, Rodgers contract actually gives the Packers some cap room. In 2023, that amount grows to over $20 million in cap. And that is the time when Lafleur's contract with the Packers will be lapsing, with the team having a fifth year option. So, is it out of the realm of possibility that the QB becomes Love, rather than Rodgers? It'd be tough to face, but football is not a sentimental business. Just ask Brett Favre.

0 points
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rodgersrules's picture

January 07, 2021 at 04:57 pm

Yes. Packers should just admit that the Love pick was based on a flawed idea that Rodgers was declining and was at least 2 years too soon. Trade him for a 1st rounder in the area he was taken for, oh, a corner to replace King or D line depth, whatever. Get some value, because he's not beating out Rodgers on performance anytime soon.

-1 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 07, 2021 at 06:18 pm

I think GB could get a 3rd or a 4th round pick for Love.

0 points
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Bure9620's picture

January 07, 2021 at 07:22 pm

So we are already flipping the 1st round QB we traded up for??

5 points
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GLM's picture

January 07, 2021 at 07:41 pm

No... that would be much too soon... he hasn't even had a chance to show his skills, yet. The only way he gets moved is if some team desperate for a young QB offers the team a deal they can't pass up.

3 points
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Bure9620's picture

January 07, 2021 at 09:03 pm

That would not even happen. The Packers didn't draft Jordan Love to flip him they drafted him to be "The Guy"

4 points
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PeteK's picture

January 08, 2021 at 08:42 am

Yes, because he needs and we have the time to develop him. We also have a young, former QB as coach and a HOF QB for him to model and learn from. I'm getting old and my memory is fading , but didn't that, not to common scenario, happen somewhere already. Come on Stroh, give me an up vote for being well groomed , I mean informed.

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 07, 2021 at 07:31 pm

Why would you trade Love now? Seriously doubt we do that and seriously doubt he’s dropped that far to a needy team, even hypothetically.

3 points
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Bure9620's picture

January 07, 2021 at 07:35 pm

Do you believe that in year 2 of Lefleur's offense when Rodgers is flourishing (he was good last year), Gutekunst is saying "Oh my Gosh Rodgers is still good! I can't believe it! What a fool I am!"

No he isn't. Rodgers Ballin' was taken into consideration. He STILL drafted Love. Gutekunst did not Draft Love based on Rodgers performance level in 2020.....He drafted love to have HIS guy ready in 2022/23

9 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 07, 2021 at 07:34 pm

Gute is laughing. He’s got an MVP QB, a UDFA who might yield a pick and a nice relatively cheap back up while Rodgers wins the next 3 Super Bowls.

8 points
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dobber's picture

January 08, 2021 at 08:36 am

You've hit the key point: Love wasn't drafted for the players he and Rodgers are now...it was made based on who they will be 2-3 years after the draft and in light of the cap impact each would have if in place as the starter.

1 points
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Swisch's picture

January 07, 2021 at 05:35 pm

The choosing of Jordan Love could be considered a win-win.
If the somewhat testy and unpredictable Aaron Rodgers has a resurgence (which has been the case) -- perhaps due to a little prodding from the selection of Love in the first round -- then that's great.
If Rodgers declines, whether this year or the next couple of years, then Love is ready to step in as an immensely talented project (somewhat like Josh Allen) who may not make it in the NFL but may become a superstar.
It's easy to forget the situation at the time a decision was made.
For example, would Rodgers really buy into the new offense of Coach LaFleur -- especially if the team wasn't nearly as successful as last season?
If Love does move on for some reason, it seems quite possible the Packers would get a good player or two in return.
Whatever happens, it may be that Jordan Love helped us this year more than a rookie wide receiver (with the reminder that Justin Jefferson and many others were gone by the time the Packers had their first-round pick).
By the way, I like our receivers as players and persons, and they seem to be very good about complementing Davante Adams rather than competing with him too much for targets. That's huge.

7 points
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stockholder's picture

January 07, 2021 at 05:40 pm

A year on the bench. Who can't be concerned. The disruption has yet to happen. Rodgers gives us security at QB. Love doesn't. Make or break time isn't as close as you think. After reading about Campbell, Tagge and Hunter. My compass tells me that this will be the biggest failure since Tony Mandrich. Looking Forward: Jones, King, Linsley, Williams. We've got the Talent. Having them on the team is priceless. Losing them is going to hurt.

-9 points
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Bure9620's picture

January 07, 2021 at 07:04 pm

There is no such thing as security for Quarterbacks approaching 40........

7 points
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CoachDino's picture

January 07, 2021 at 09:06 pm

Stock - My Guy,

Biggest failure since Mandrich? There's a monsterous gap between the value of the #2 pick and the #21 was it? It would cost over three 1st rd... 21st picks to equal one 1st rd #2 pick. That's including the late 4th rd they gave up to get there. There's plenty of other examples though from the Packers. Shepard? the Tackle out of Miss. .. Spriggs to an extent, jamal Reynolds, T-Buck. it goes on...unfortunately

I don't blame the GM for Tony M. he duped the League but at least after him the league knew to look out for steroids....

Another HUGE issue I never see people bring up when comparing draft picks over the years (the past is basically how we perceive the present and future when contrasting) is that in the old days the amount of money the 1st rounder got was huge. Love's contract isn't making much of an impact on the capability to sign other players. These others guys just destroyed the budgets of a small town team like the Packers.

Then you have the issue of availability. They were 26 teams after the merger competing for players now there's 32. That's just under a 25% increase. That's huge considering the limited QB's taken that pan out.
Add to that where the packers draft. Can you imagine the cost hence risk of trying to move up from the bottom 1/4 of the 1st rd to the top 5 or Top 2 picks to get a NFL ready franchise QB prospect? I'd much rather lose a 29th pick and 120 something pick than three or more 1st rd picks. You could always hope that your late 1st rd or later pick beats the odds or just realize it could be 10 years before you find a good one, let alone very good one. Look no further than the bears, Browns, Jets, Minn., Cinn, Tampa, Jac, etc..point is MOST teams.

Then you just have the value of a QB drastically increasing over the years due to the Air Coryell evolution. The days of the QBs calling the plays in the huddle might be over but the amount of read and adjust that goes on now presnap IMO outweighs that. The Qbs value compared to other players has skyrocketed. It's why RBs/Run game is no longer the way to win. having a great defense wins championships isn't nearly as true as it once was. Stopping the runs where you start. Is another Parable that doesn't hold the same weight. Though we all love to keep using them. Not saying there's no merit to them but there is no denying they weighted importance of them dropping.

Kc's a good example of the willingness to draft and develop QB's. Was it a bad move by the cardinals to draft Murray a year after drafting a 1st Rd qb...early? I think the Packers are just ahead of the trend (to a point).
Interesting to see how many teams take a QB this year with a QB that's good already on the roster. (Atl, Stafford, Minn, Mia, Jets, Pitts., Phil, etc..
Then add in the 2020 draft decision matrix of opportunity cost, perceived probability of Arods success both in Ability and willingness to change, perceived ability of Love. I've seen scouting reports and draft profiles having him anywhere from the second QB taken to a 3rd round pick. IMO Love can be a special player. Dude is 6'4" - 225lbs, fast and agile, Cannon for an arm, fantastic touch, hardworking, Smart, Good citizen, very coachable, team player. How many different Head Coaches/OC did he have in his time there. It's not like he was a pro, he was just out of HS. Check out his 2018 season instead of the 2019 where the team stunk, had hired a new head coach with a whole new scheme. I really could care less if Arod stays and is even extended as far as Love is concerned. Love becomes the back-up and walks after his contract. It only means the packers are doing great for the next 4 years. Isn't that the whole point? Plus if Love is any good we will have a capable backup to help us win now if ARod gets hurt. Be it for a few games or more. Tim Boyles a great story and I wish him nothing but the best but if he's the answer why didn't other teams draft him or offer the Packers something for him. If its a case that he became good through being able to sit and develop behind ARod what makes anyone think Love - The consensus MUCH better prospect (not even close) can't do the same thing?

These guys thinks this stuff out 10x more than I babled on here, have excel spreadsheets with weighted factors, possibly some like I layed out or others. Plus they know exactly what all the backstories are that we won't hear about for another 15 years.

7 points
8
1
stockholder's picture

January 08, 2021 at 07:44 am

Doing great for the next 4 years. Was the point, and I feel the only way we do that, is with Rodgers. So many point to his age, or want to compare him to #4. But if we learned anything, Rodgers is not #4. And could play as long as Blanda. As far as the draft gaps. Love has the hype, backing, and build- up since Tony Mandrich. When you see how good several others are in Loves draft class. Need, success, and not sitting. Thats what has to be calculated too. Rodgers will get a bonus for being the MVP. As long as he doesn't throw INTs. He SHOULD be the QB. I don't believe you will keep Love content for 4 years sitting. Sitting cools the arm off.

0 points
3
3
CoachDino's picture

January 07, 2021 at 09:15 pm

"Looking Forward: Jones, King, Linsley, Williams. We've got the Talent. Having them on the team is priceless. Losing them is going to hurt".
IMO, yes there are some players that won't be back and their replacements won't be as good. There will be pain.... But compare that to the improvements that should be made with another year in this offense, continued development of gary, Savage, Jaire, Keke, Barnes, Martin, Dillon, Yosh (fingers crossed), Black, Scott, Samuels. Then all the draft picks that might not be huge year 1 contributors but will just be more ammo in the supply chain as they develop. Jones is going to hurt no matter what Dillon does, question is just how much - a little or a lot. I'm hopeful the packers can Minimize the loss of King and Lindsley. Linsley might not be as expensive as originally thought due to age/injury. king as well but more due to performance and injury. Plus if King has been told to tighten up more in coverage but has still been playing off the plan should be to let him go. I gotta think that tightening up coverage is really just pointed at King. We know it's not Jaire and that leaves king as the only other outside QB. I haven't noticed if Chandon is up close in the slot. Don't most Slot DBs always play closer than outside due to the time you have to close with the ball in the air? IDK, any one help me on this one? appreciate it.

OK - sorry for the rants....Spent the day on Virtual School duty with the grandson. Man, its not easy, he's in Kindergarten.

3 points
3
0
PeteK's picture

January 08, 2021 at 08:57 am

Good job, teacher Dean!!

0 points
0
0
Bure9620's picture

January 07, 2021 at 07:08 pm

Yes Love will play eventually, EVERY first round QB pick takes snaps for that team eventually. He's THE guy. This decision has already been made. It was made in April by Brian Gutekunst and collectively at 1265 Lombardi Ave. Rodgers knows this. When asked if this year changes his "controllables," he said this season changes nothing, which is true. In addition, Gutekunst is absolutely aware Rodgers could ball out this year in year 2 of the Lefleur offense....and.....He STILL drafted Love.....

2 points
2
0
albert999's picture

January 07, 2021 at 07:47 pm

If 2020 has taught the league anything, it’s that decisions made in the late summer have plenty of room for error. Adjustments can be made, stances rethought, especially when it’s the playoffs. Maybe let the head coaches get a pass in the postseason and be involved in the game-day operations from home. While I sure don’t want Stefanski sitting out in such an important game for the franchise, I also don’t want to see it happen to Mike Tomlin or Andy Reid or Matt LaFleur or any other head coach this month. And I absolutely refuse to believe it should happen in the Super Bowl, so why should the league stick to it in the opening foray?
Don’t say it’s because the Lions will be upset, either. It’s the Lions, and it was one regular-season game with an interim coach. You’re talking about a franchise whose ownership has made such state-of-the-art decisions that it has produced one playoff win in 63 years. In what world do the Lions deserve to dictate whether another team should have a rule bent so that a head coach can be involved in his team’s playoff game during a pandemic season? Particularly when the NFL has already strapped itself to the league’s longest-running favor in football history in allowing the Lions to be locked into a very lucrative Thanksgiving Day game since 1934. The NFL owes the Lions nothing, least of all an explanation for why
MLF FOR COACH OF THE YEAR!

-1 points
0
1
CheesyTex's picture

January 07, 2021 at 08:22 pm

Kind of weird to think of a bouncer for a rooftop bar -- bounce rowdies off a rooftop?

2 points
2
0
Spock's picture

January 10, 2021 at 11:16 am

At least fans now can have a nickname for him; something like Dom "The Bouncer" Dafney.

0 points
0
0
edp1959's picture

January 07, 2021 at 09:02 pm

Comparing this pick to Rodgers or Mahomes is ignorance at it’s best. I don’t remember either of them not being able to secure the backup spot.

-7 points
1
8
croatpackfan's picture

January 08, 2021 at 03:49 am

" I don’t remember either of them not being able to secure the backup spot."

I don’t remember either of them was missing OTA, Minicamp, Training camp and preseason games. But I know, who cares. Facts are important only when suits your claims. Otherwise facts are not important at all.

7 points
7
0
dobber's picture

January 08, 2021 at 08:24 am

Great call, Croat.

How many people here commenting on the failure of Love being the backup were also saying prior to the start of the season were saying that Boyle should be the backup because Love won't have the prep?

2 points
2
0
PatB's picture

January 08, 2021 at 02:50 pm

I don't know. I look around the league and see one rookie QB who played pretty well (Herbert) and one competently without much help (Burrow). Tagovailoa and Hurts have not done much, but that happens in normal years too.

Right now all we know about Love, besides what he did in college, is that he remains behind Boyle on the depth chart. That doesn't prove anything — I still hope he'll be a superstar in a few years — but in the absence of other information, it's not encouraging.

-1 points
0
1
Demon's picture

January 09, 2021 at 11:40 am

We are finally in agreement croat.

" Facts are important only when suits your claims. "
Many FACTS are quoted on here by posters who read some bs article from some bs sportswriter who is trying to make a name for himself. then state it as FACT and believe it as much truth as if Jesus Christ himself wrote it

1 points
1
0
dpwiener's picture

January 07, 2021 at 09:29 pm

All this fuss about Jordan Love, and when will he ever play, and was it a wasted pick, etc., strikes me as silly. The quarterback is the most crucial position on the team, and it's almost impossible to win (much less have a chance at the Superbowl) without a great one at the helm. I have no idea how Love will eventually turn out, but if Gute thought he had the potential to someday be a franchise QB then it was well worth the investment regardless of Rodgers' status.

At the very least he provides backup insurance, even if he's #3 behind Tim Boyle. If Aaron gets hurt (which his history and the NFL in general proves can happen), Boyle will immediately need his own backup. Meanwhile Love gets to sit and learn behind one of the greatest QBs to ever play the game. Aaron had that luxury behind Favre, and I believe it contributed immensely to his eventual success. Hopefully Love will benefit the same.

The worst case (which ain't too bad) is that Aaron continues playing at a super-elite level for many years in a Packers uniform. That means that at some point Love will get traded or will finish his contract and become a free agent. The Packers will get some compensation in the next draft, and meanwhile will have had their quarterback insurance policy in place against the risk of a Rodgers injury or sudden decline in playing ability.

14 points
14
0
Bure9620's picture

January 07, 2021 at 10:08 pm

It is silly. The Packers have 5 years of control over Love. Rodgers would be 42...

The Packers will showcase Boyle like a beautiful Kentucky Derby show pony next preseason.... Andy Herman's description will pale in comparison to the LOVE Boyle will receive. The narrative will be "OMG Boyle is still better than Love!"

He isn't. They want draft capital for Boyle. This is his last year in GB.

7 points
7
0
PeteK's picture

January 08, 2021 at 09:21 am

True, Pack has padded their draft at least 6 times by taking their backups. Just like our offensive assistants, our backups are of value. It has happened at least six times, Hundley, Flyn, Detmer, one to Falcons Burgess, to Jags Burnel ? , good one to Hawks( long names many consonants). I warned that my memory is fading but , I will not go gently into that good night.

2 points
2
0
SierraSam's picture

January 07, 2021 at 10:26 pm

Then there is Tim Boyal in waiting!!!

-2 points
0
2
ColoradoSpecialist's picture

January 08, 2021 at 01:15 am

Great article, interesting points made!

https://denverfencingpros.com/

-2 points
0
2
blacke00's picture

January 08, 2021 at 08:19 am

I have never been in favor of a QB taken in the 1st round playing his rookie year. Why? it almost never works out.

The typical scenario is a QB taken in the 1st round by a bad team with a poor OL, no running and/ or poor receivers. Doomed to failure!
I've seen this happen much more often than not over my 50+ years of watching Packer football.

If by dumb luck you end up with a Akieman or Manning who happen to "survive" a early crap team and go on to success you really very lucky!

The best scenario is to sit and let your QB learn the system, learn the players on the team and draft players around him that support him until he fully "blossoms"

Be patient!

4 points
4
0
jurp's picture

January 08, 2021 at 09:29 am

To your point, just look at Sam Darnold. Started his career with promise, but doomed to failure by the crappy management/coaching of that dysfunctional mess of a franchise. Now, the Jets are likely to replace him in the next draft.

1 points
1
0
jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 08, 2021 at 08:24 am

”Jaire, who is half the size of Graham"

I'm remembering the line from Rudy by Dan Devine, " I wish God would put your heart in some of my players bodies."

Jaire plays with heart. Jimmy Graham plays with no heart.

1 points
1
0
Packers0808's picture

January 08, 2021 at 09:05 am

D Dafney story is really neat and unique. Good for him and doing all he can with his chances!

6 points
6
0
wildbill's picture

January 08, 2021 at 11:51 am

Kinda bugs me when people question if Rodgers would buy into LF’s system. He is a very sharp person and not only could easily see the stress it puts on the defense as well as giving him some nice easy targets. Plus I imagine he was tired of MM’s “ line up and win your one on ones” while needing Rodgers to continually pull rabbits out of a hat during a game. You won’t believe me but the last couple years of MM’s offense I could correctly predict run/pass with outrageous accuracy and I don’t break down the game film like DCs do. It would have been comical if it weren’t so sad

3 points
4
1
chaka's picture

January 08, 2021 at 02:36 pm

Love was a useless pick. He will never play a down except possibly mop up duty.

-1 points
2
3
crayzpackfan's picture

January 08, 2021 at 10:02 pm

For the love of everything holy in this world, I hope I read the word poot in the near future

3 points
3
0