Rex Ryan’s doubts cast shadow on Jordan Love’s ability to successfully fill Aaron Rodgers’s shoes

Former NFL coach Rex Ryan pulled no punches in his assessment of Jordan Love's performance following the Green Bay Packers' playoff exit on Sunday. Ryan highlighted Love's ongoing turnover issues as a major roadblock to his development into an elite quarterback.

Ryan, an ESPN analyst and former coach of the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, brings defensive expertise to his QB analysis. Love, the Packers' $220 million investment, just completed his second season as Green Bay's starting QB.

Speaking on ESPN's "Get Up" on Monday, Ryan addressed Love's struggles against the Philadelphia Eagles. Love had a dismal performance as he threw three interceptions.

"This kid has elite skills but is not an elite quarterback," Ryan said. "And the reason for it? He's reckless with the football. And to me, he'll never take this team where they want to go until he handles this stuff."

The criticism follows a season of two distinct halves for Love. He threw 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his first eight games before he went interception-free for seven straight games before his playoff collapse against Philadelphia.

Rex Ryan questions Jordan Love's experience

NFL: NFC Wild Card Round-Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles - Source: Imagn

Rex Ryan pointed to Jordan Love's fundamental issues in reading defenses.

"When he doesn't see the field, he doesn't anticipate coverage," Ryan said. "He's playing like a young quarterback here. And now he's been in the league now about, what, five years?"

The numbers back up Ryan's concerns. Love's big-play ability diminished significantly in 2024, with his "big-time throws" dropping from 37 in 2023 to just 16 this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Packers coach Matt LaFleur adjusted by reducing Love's pass attempts from 32.1 to 24 per game in the second half of the season.

The path forward remains unclear for Green Bay but LaFleur maintains faith in his quarterback.

"I love Jordan Love and how he competes, the work he puts in," LaFleur said in Sunday's postgame presser. "I think he's going to get better and better and better."

The team faces questions about its offensive identity after the Aaron Rodgers era. The Packers must balance Love's playmaking potential against his turnover tendencies — a challenge that will shape their 2025 strategy.