Packers' QB starting role: Is Jordan Love a worthy Rodgers’ replacement?

Jordan Love looks set to become the next starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. The franchise is almost certain not to have veteran Aaron Rodgers on their roster when the next NFL season kicks off. Rodgers has held on to the quarterback's starting role since 2008.

The Packers are facing a familiar situation as Aaron Rodgers prepares to exit. The quarterback looks set to part ways with the team the same way his predecessor, Brett Favre, did after the 2007 season. The question troubling many minds is whether Jordan Love is a capable replacement.

Jordan Love’s journey to the Packers

Jordan Love was a first-round pick in the virtually held 2020 NFL Draft. Coming out of the Utah State Aggies football program, Love was drafted as the 26th overall pick by the Packers. He was the last of the four quarterbacks selected in the first round of the draft.

The selection surprised draft experts and the media since the Packers had a two-time MVP quarterback in Aaron Rodgers at the time. However, general manager Brian Gutekunst clarified that Love was the highest-ranked player left on their draft board.

Love had a noteworthy college career during his time at Utah State. Redshirted as a freshman, he went on to record 8,600 passing yards and 60 touchdowns in 1,125 pass attempts. He also rushed for 403 yards and nine touchdowns in his three seasons with the Aggies.

The selection of Love was definitely not a bad one for the Packers. It is not uncommon for NFL teams to draft a quarterback even if they already have an established starter. Love was seen as a long-term investment for the Packers and now is the time for him to fulfill that.

Similar situation to Aaron Rodgers

Tennessee Titans v Green Bay Packers

Where Jordan Love currently finds himself is a similar scenario to the challenge Aaron Rodgers faced in his early days with the Packers. Like Love, Rodgers was drafted in the first round of the 2005 draft and was seen as a long-term replacement for Brett Favre.

Like Love, Aaron Rodgers was a backup quarterback for his first three seasons on the Packers' roster. He was unable to start any games in his first three seasons, playing only seven. Having played 10 games, Love has been lucky to get a start in his own first three seasons on the team as a result of Rodgers testing positive for Covid-19.

The gigantic responsibility is now on Jordan Love to take control of the Packers' offense in his fourth season on the roster, as Rodgers did. Despite doubts about his ability in many quarters, there are high expectations from every angle in the NFL world on what he has to offer in a role last held by two quarterback greats.

All eyes will definitely be on Love next season as he becomes the Packers' starting quarterback. The Packers have had a rare succession of talented quarterbacks since 1992, with only the Indianapolis Colts coming close to replicating their back-to-back quarterback success. The question remains whether they can make it three on the bounce.