Jordan Love has been far from a fan favorite ever since the Green Bay Packers traded up to draft him 26th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. It should be noted that Aaron Rodgers, too, was the subject of much disdain from many so-called Packers fans when he was drafted as the heir-apparent to Brett Favre in 2005. It is no secret that that was the reason Love was drafted: to replace Rodgers. Since that fateful draft, Rodgers has won the NFL MVP Award twice. Practice squad quarterback Kurt Benkert captured the hearts of thousands of fans, many of whom called for the Packers to keep him instead of Love. However, Benkert was given his release and Love enters 2022 the same way he entered 2021: as the Packers’ backup quarterback with no clear future.
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Of course, Love’s future with the Packers has been complicated further by Rodgers’ new three-year $150 million contract extension. It has become more and more apparent that Love’s chances for being the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers are slim to none. As a result, Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report named Love as the player the Packers must trade before the season starts.
Why Should the Packers Trade Jordan Love?
As stated, many Packers fans hated Jordan Love for the crime of being drafted by their favorite team. To them, a trade involving Love would be welcomed. All that aside, it may be in the Packers’ best interest to trade their former first round pick. In his article, Sobleski wrote:
Sure, Rodgers will turn 39 later this year, and he could retire next offseason. But the Packers must operate as if he’ll play for the majority of his deal, which takes him well into his 40s.
major decision is forthcoming regarding Love’s contract status. Green Bay must decide whether to pick up the 23-year-old quarterback’s fifth-year rookie option next offseason. The better solution might be to move him now since he may never become the starter and look for another Rodgers replacement down the road.
To be certain, these points are incredibly valid. However, is it really the best decision?
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The Case Against Trading Jordan Love (for now)
As mentioned previously, the Green Bay Packers have already released Kurt Benkert. Last season, Benkert was the Packers’ practice squad quarterback and served as Rodgers’ backup when Jordan Love missed a week with COVID. Keeping that in mind, why would the Packers trade away their backup quarterback when they’ve already released their third-string quarterback?
Of course, the Packers have brought in other quarterbacks for their offseason programs. Danny Etling, who spent time with the Packers last season, has been signed as an extra camp arm. Many expect him to take Benkert’s place on the Green Bay practice squad this season. Throughout the course of his short three year NFL career, Etling has spent time on the practice squads of the New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and Denver Broncos. He has never been a backup quarterback on a 53-man roster. Do the Packers want to risk having a seventh round pick who has never been elevated to a gameday roster as their backup quarterback?
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One thing to consider is the age and health of Aaron Rodgers. Of course, he has won the last two NFL MVP Awards and has not shown any recent signs of slowing down. That being said, there have been two seasons in his career in which he missed significant time with injuries. In each of those seasons, the Packers did not have an adequate backup quarterback and struggled mightily to compete. Now, is Jordan Love the perfect backup? Perhaps not. However, he is surely a better option that Danny Etling. If Rodgers were to get hurt, Love presents the best option for the Packers as a backup.
Conclusion
Will the Green Bay Packers trade Jordan Love? Probably, but not yet. It is safe to assume that he will never be the starter for the Packers. It is also a certainty that there is no better option as a backup quarterback on their roster. He is still on his rookie contract, so he is not eating up much salary cap space. It would be best Green Bay to stick with him on the roster for at least one more season.