The Green Bay Packers received a great deal of criticism last offseason when they decided to trade four-time NFL MVP and future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. Of course, the decision to trade Rodgers was the result of the Packers wanting to hand the reins of the offense over to Jordan Love.
The 2020 first round pick was obviously selected to eventually take over for Rodgers, one of the greatest players to ever play the game. After three years of learning from the future Hall of Famer, quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, and head coach Matt LaFleur, the Packers felt that Love was finally ready.
Green Bay Packers Quarterback Jordan Love Was Heavily Criticized Before and During the 2023 NFL Season.
As was the case when Rodgers himself took over for Brett Favre in 2008, the Packers’ new starting quarterback was the target of constant negativity and criticism, both from the media and his own fanbase.
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One of Love’s loudest critics was notable sports analyst and talk show host Colin Cowherd. After a preseason game that Green Bay played against the Cincinnati Bengals, Cowherd went on his show and argued that Love should just give up and stop playing football.
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The Packers’ quarterback was 7/10 for 46 yards and a touchdown in that game.
During the first few weeks of the regular season, Love and his young group of wide receivers went through some very obvious growing pains. The Packers had made the decision that their new quarterback would have a group of pass catchers made up only of first and second-year players. This meant that the young Packers went through a trial by fire until they figured out how to play together.
Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers Figured It Out [Eventually]
After the Packers fell to 2-5, hopes were dim among Packers fans. Some were even calling for the team to start Sean Clifford at quarterback.
Over the next 10 games of the regular season, though, Love and his offense led the Packers to a 7-3 record and eventually clinched the final Wild Card spot in the NFC. They then put up 48 points on the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL Playoffs before being sent home by the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.
When it was all said and done, Love had completed 64.2% of his passes for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns (second in the NFL), 11 interceptions, and a 96.1 passer rating.
Last week, Love signed a massive four-year contract extension worth $220 million to keep him in the Green and Gold for the immediate future. His $55 million annual salary is tied for the highest in the NFL, and his $75 million signing bonus is the highest in NFL history.
On of Love’s biggest supporters going into the 2023 season was two-time All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander. While Love was giving an interview at his locker during training camp last year, Alexander came up behind him and told the reporters present that the new Packers starter was the best quarterback in the NFL.
On Wednesday, he reminded analysts at the NFL Network of his comments last year and doubled down on them:
I said he was the best QB last year, and his pay shows that he’s the best QB again,” Alexander said. He also talked about how Love has not approached practice any differently than he did prior to signing his contract.
He also reiterated a phrase that was commonly heard last season: “He doesn’t have to be anyone but himself.” Of course, this was in reference to people trying to compare him to Rodgers.
Alexander argued that Love was successful last year because of the kind of person and player that he is. The money does not change that.
