The Green Bay Packers play their first preseason game this Friday against the San Francisco 49ers. The question remained whether any of the starters, the big one being Rodgers, would play in this game. That question has been answered. Jordan Love will start Friday’s preseason game.
Jordan Love’s Training Camp
Training camp has been very good for Jordan Love. He has looked more comfortable with his reads and has been making big throws. His confidence under pressure has also been a big improvement. In his lone start against the Chiefs last season, the defense blitzed constantly causing Love to make poor decisions. The Packers defense has been getting plenty of pressure on the QB in training camp and Love has been handling it well. Will this translate to the field?
What to Watch For
Love can’t get hit in training camp. In this preseason game, he can get hit. It is easier to make reads knowing that the pressure coming at you isn’t going to hit you into next week. The 49ers front will be coming after Love and forcing him to make decisions under pressure. Can Love make the right reads? More importantly, can Love sustain drives. He has the weapons around him. Honestly, Packers don’t care whether Love can make a pinpoint deep throw to a receiver in stride. They are more concerned whether Love can orchestrate a 8-10 play drive that ends in points. One thing to watch in Love’s start is whether he can sustain drives and not just go 3 and out.
Love’s Last Chance
This training camp is Love’s last chance to prove himself. It is year 3 and the Packers need to start making decisions on what they will do with Love. If Love does not show progress, the Packers may look to find another QB solution for the post-Rodgers era. With Love getting the start on Friday, the Packers will get a great look at how much progress he has made.
Ultimately, I’m pulling for Jordan Love. He has been through a lot in his first two years and has been handling it with class. He has the skillset and now it is just getting him to translate that to the field. Jordan Love starting Friday’s preseason game will give the Packers and great idea of just how much Love has progressed.
