The Green Bay Packers solved one big problem Monday by finally trading Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets.
But they created another question that might be answered in the next week: Is Jordan Love their quarterback of the future? And if not, could they use one or two of the NFL Draft picks they got in return to find their true long-term solution?
Are Green Bay Packers All-In on Jordan Love?
The Packers don’t have to tell us their thinking on this matter. Their actions in the next week will speak louder than any words.
Before we cover that ground, let’s examine the details of a trade two months in the making.
The Packers are sending Rodgers, the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft, and a fifth-rounder (170th overall) to the Jets, per ESPN. In return, they’re getting the Jets’ first- (13th overall), second- (42nd), and sixth- (207th) rounders in 2023, plus a conditional pick in 2024.
That 2024 pick will be a first-rounder unless Rodgers plays fewer than 65% of New York’s offensive snaps this year. In that case, it’ll be a second.
But either way, the Packers will have a treasure trove of draft picks over the next two years.
They should be bold with them and — unless they’re certain that Love is ready to be their QB1 — consider packaging them to go get a quarterback.
This weekend, the Packers own 11 draft picks, including four in the top 80 selections.
At No. 13, they could possibly target Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis, Florida’s Anthony Richardson, or Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker, if one unexpectedly falls to the teens.
But passivity isn’t needed with their draft haul. If the Packers package picks 13 and 42, they could easily jump into the top 10, and possibly even the top six.
If they love Stroud, and he’s there when the Lions are on the clock, they should make the call. They’d reset the clock on their rookie quarterback contract cycle and still have possession of their own second-round pick to address needs.
MORE: FREE Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
Would that scenario be fair to Love?
No, but nothing about his NFL career has been.
Love was supposed to be the Packers’ QB1 by 2022 at the latest, but Rodgers put together back-to-back MVP seasons to keep him in Green Bay — and Love on the bench.
And while Love, at 24, is still young, he’s also entering his fourth season in the league.
“Aaron is obviously up there in age,” Packers GM Brian Gutekunst told reporters Monday. “I think he’s got some really good football left in him. As we got through the offseason, this made sense … Having [Love] sit for another year would’ve really delayed [his development].”
What’s more, having him sit for another year would likely have ended Love’s career with the Packers before it even began.
Love’s contract will expire at the end of this season unless the Packers pick up his fifth-year option. The deadline to exercise that option, which will guarantee a $20.3 million salary in 2024?
Next week.
Pledging that much money to a player who has thrown just 83 passes in his career would be a massive risk. The Packers are wise to wait until this weekend’s draft to make a decision on that option.
If they do shock the world and take a quarterback in Round 1, they would presumably let Love play in 2023, and if he balls out, put the franchise tag on him in 2024.
And if he struggles, they’ll already have his replacement in the locker room.