Jordan Love gets his chance against the Chiefs
The Green Bay Packers are without Aaron Rodgers this weekend, giving Jordan Love his initial NFL moment in his stead.
For Jordan Love, it’s an opportunity.
Not a career-defining moment, but a chance. With Aaron Rodgers out for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday due to a positive COVID test, the second-year quarterback will make his first NFL start.
Love, a 2020 first-round pick out of Utah State, has only appeared in two games, throwing seven passes. All came in the fourth quarter of Week 1’s 38-3 blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints. This weekend, Love will be in his first meaningful action, taking on the two-time AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
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The good news for Love? Kansas City has been mediocre all year, going 4-4 through its first eight games. Furthermore, the defense — while better in the past three weeks — isn’t good, potentially giving Love a chance to feel comfortable.
The bad news? Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has one of the more complex, unique blitzing packages in the league. Additionally, Kansas City is one of the toughest places to play in the sport, with Arrowhead holding the world record for noise level in an outdoor stadium.
On Friday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talked about what he expects from Love, per ESPN:
“I think he’s come a long way, but by no means is he a finished product. It’s going to be a great opportunity for him to get his feet wet for the first time in a meaningful game, being that it’s the regular season. So it’ll be a great learning experience for him, and I’m just excited for his opportunity.”
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For Love, it’s not an ideal circumstance and yet in some ways, it provides the ultimate environment. The Packers are 7-1 and pulling away in the NFC North. Green Bay will win the division barring total disaster and make a deep run in January regardless of Sunday’s outcome. And, should the Packers lose to the Chiefs, it’s a non-conference defeat to a team that regardless of its record, is one of the NFL’s best.
On Sunday, Love will get his first opportunity to show who he is and what the Packers have in their future franchise quarterback. The result from this weekend, of course, doesn’t guarantee or maybe even portend the years ahead, but it’s a road marker and the first one we have from the youngster.
