When the Packers selected Jordan Love out of Utah State with the 26th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Green Bay fans around the country groaned.
Although most analysts are drawing parallels to the selection of Aaron Rodgers pick in 2005, there are a few key differences that prove why the Jordan Love was not a bad pick.
Aaron Rodgers is not Brett Favre
When Rodgers was taken 24th overall in 2005, Brett Favre was on a downward slope to retirement. In 2004, Favre threw for 30 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, while Rodgers’ numbers were 25 and two respectively. Also, both quarterbacks had one receiver––Donald Driver for Favre and Davante Adams for Rodgers––and not much else.
The big difference: Rodgers put together an incredible performance with the lack of talent surrounding him.
Another key difference is in the sack department. Rodgers took 36 sacks in 2019 compared to Favre’s 22 in 2004, with Favre possessing a considerably better offensive line.
Jordan Love is not Aaron Rodgers
One of the hottest of Aaron Rodgers’ career has been the massive chip on his shoulder since San Francisco drafted Alex Smith first overall in 2005––not him.
On the other hand, Love was never considered a top-15 pick, let alone No. 1 overall. This is largely due to inconsistencies in production at Utah State.
In 2018, he threw for 3,567 yards, 32 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, putting him in the eye of scouts across the league. However, losing a majority of his offensive starters in 2019 led to a major fall from grace. He still put up a respectable 3,402 yards and 20 touchdowns, but amassing 17 interceptions is not going to endear you to many scouts.
With the lack of support in mind, the pure physical talent he possesses is important. Love is talented inside and outside of the pocket, with the ability to launch 50-yard bombs down the field while rolling outside of the pocket.
He clearly can throw the deep ball, but also has been extremely proficient in fitting passes over the middle into tight windows. Although he’s been criticized for his decision-making and his inconsistency on deep balls, the Packers have never shied away from drafting a gunslinger.
The relationship between Rodgers and Love will be different than Rodgers and Favre
First of all, let’s get this out of the way real quick: Aaron Rodgers cares about his image much more than Brett Favre. Favre was a gunslinging southern quarterback that, throughout his career, cared very little about what coaches or the media thought.
When Rodgers rolled into town, Favre’s biggest concern was feeling like he would be replaced. On the other hand, Rodgers has already said all of the right things in public, as has Love and Packers brass.
Yes, Rodgers also is worried about being replaced, but he has stated his desire to play into his 40s while Favre was already toying with retirement in 2005. Love will sit in Green Bay for at least the same amount of time Rodgers did, if not more.
No matter how long Aaron Rodgers is the starting quarterback in Green Bay, one can be sure of two things: Jordan Love will be worth his value at pick 26, and Aaron Rodgers will play somewhere else in the NFL once he leaves Green Bay.
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