Packers: Jordan Love isn't your typical first-year starter
Sure, this is Jordan Love's first full season as the Green Bay Packers' starting quarterback. But, he's not your typical first-year starter. Love has been in head coach Matt LaFleur's system for all three seasons of his young career and, he's ran OTAs as the Packers' No. 1 QB, as well. Aaron Rodgers was infamous […]
Sure, this is Jordan Love's first full season as the Green Bay Packers' starting quarterback. But, he's not your typical first-year starter.
Love has been in head coach Matt LaFleur's system for all three seasons of his young career and, he's ran OTAs as the Packers' No. 1 QB, as well. Aaron Rodgers was infamous for exclusively showing up to mandatory camp(s). Therefore, it left Love with an excellent opportunity to really get some quality reps in and develop.
"It helps a lot, just having been through it a couple of times," Love told reporters on Tuesday. "Knowing how practice goes, the operation of practice, and then obviously, just knowing the playbook – I feel comfortable with that. [It's] a lot different than my rookie year."
Things are different for Love, however, even if there's a sense of familiarity
Many suspected there would be a different vibe to this season for Love, even if he's familiar with his current role.
And sure enough, Love confirmed that suspicion earlier in the week.
"Oh yeah, definitely. For the most part, [in past] OTAs, I was doing most of the number one reps," said Love. "But it definitely feels different being the guy. You know, kind of not looking over your shoulder [and being able to] control it in your own way."
The biggest difference is the offense is now tailored to him instead of Rodgers. Even if Love has been QB1 during past OTAs, the philosophy, the structure, and the play designs/play calls were all fit to Rodgers' skill set.
Now, it's all about Love and what he's capable of doing. That's not slowing things down, at all, though. In fact, Love's accelerated path is helping other players pick things up at a quicker pace, as expected.
"I think this year, the installs are a little bit different," said Love. "Just in terms of the way we're calling things and how we put the installs together. It's different than the way it's been in the past. So, it is a little new…
"… We've kind of honed into what plays we ran more in the past and are putting those at the forefront of install one and install two. So, it's a little bit different, but yes, it's not my first time learning it. So, it's easy to pick up on things faster, and it's easier for me to be able to help the young guys come along and tell them exactly what needs to be done."
But most importantly, Love is feeling more and more comfortable every day. And that's more important than ever.
"That's one of those things that you just keep building it every day and just keep growing with myself, but I've felt comfortable so far stepping up as a leader more and talking more and being more vocal with the guys," said Love.
It won't be a surprise if Love exceeds expectations in 2023, because things have kind of been building to this point ever since he was drafted back in 2020.
Now, it's just about bringing everything together and showing the NFL world that the post-Rodgers Packers are to be taken seriously.
