Former NFL player Chris Canty thinks Aaron Rodgers will suit up this week against the Chicago Bears simply because he doesn't want to give Jordan Love an opportunity.
The 38-year-old was forced out of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football, and Love came in and looked every part a starting quarterback. That has led many to think that the reigning MVP's time in Green Bay should be over, allowing Love to develop for the rest of this season and beyond.
But Canty, speaking on ESPN's Get Up, thinks that the four-time NFL MVP will be doing everything he can to play and not allow Love to steal his job like he took away Brett Favre's.
“Make no mistake about why Aaron Rodgers wants to be out there and play, he doesn’t want to give Jordan Love any oxygen. I know it's crazy to say this about a two-time MVP, but think about how Aaron Rodgers got this job. Back in 2007 when I played for the Dallas Cowboys, we knocked Brett Favre out of the game late in the season."
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Canty added:
"Aaron Rodgers came in down 17, that was a seven-point ball game with five minutes left in the fourth quarter and at that point, we knew Aaron Rodgers could play. Guess what the Green Bay Packers did that offseason, they shift Brett Favre off and Aaron Rodgers became the starting quarterback."
Will Aaron Rodgers back down and allow Love to play against the Bears?
The 38-year-old will likely do everything in his power to suit up against the Bears. Earlier this week, Rodgers said that he hopes to play.
The Green Bay front office and its coaching staff have a decision to make with the Packers' season essentially over, with little to no hope of making the postseason.
There are five games left in the 2022 season. What better way to evaluate Love as your potential starting quarterback than thrusting him into the starting job for the rest of the year?
But as Canty alluded, Rodgers will not like that idea very much. If Love plays to a high level, that will signal the end of Rodgers in Green Bay, with the organization moving on to Love as the starter.
Should Rodgers tough it out and play in meaningless games, it could hinder Love's development, but it could also keep the ball in Rodgers' court.
There are a lot of unknowns surrounding Love, but Rodgers' injury presents the perfect chance to see what he can do. The Packers organization just have to be bold enough to pull the trigger.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Get Up and H/T Sportskeeda.
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