When it comes to the quarterback position, the Green Bay Packers have continued to hit on talent. From Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers, now the torch has been passed to Jordan Love. Franchises spend decades trying to find their quarterback of the future. Meanwhile, the Packers restock without missing a beat.
It has been impressive to watch, and with Love getting ready to take on the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs today, he can begin to carve out his own legacy like the men before him. Let’s compare Love and his predecessor when it comes to their first seasons under center for the franchise.
Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love Comparison
2023 marked the first chance for Love to be the quarterback of the Packers. For the first time in his three NFL seasons, Rodgers was no longer there — it was his team for the taking. Love got drafted and waited his turn for the first two seasons before being given the keys to the kingdom. He returned the faith by making the playoffs.
It’s a situation not all that unfamiliar to the man he replaced. Rodgers waited until his fourth season in the NFL to take over for Hall of Famer, Brett Favre. Rodgers’ résumé speaks for itself as a Super Bowl champion and a future Hall of Famer himself — his legacy is cemented.
However, as you look at the two individuals, both of their first real chances look eerily familiar to one another.
2008 was the year that Rodgers took over as the man in Green Bay, and he did so with impressive numbers individually while the team suffered through a 6-10 season record-wise. Rodgers finished the year with 4,038 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions to go along with a 93.8 rating.
While the team went nowhere as a group, it was clear that Rodgers’ talent was undeniable and the future in Green Bay was brighter than ever.
However, for Love, with his first real chance under center, he drove the Packers to a record of 9-8 and a playoff berth. Advantage Love when it comes to team success, but when you look at the individual numbers, they may be better as well.
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Love finished this season with 4,159 passing yards, 32 touchdown passes, and 11 interceptions while having a 96.1 rating. Before this season, Love had thrown for just shy of 600 passing yards total over his first two years. He’s exploded on the scene as one of the league’s brightest young stars.
If history repeats itself as it seems to for the Cheeseheads, the future is once again looking brighter than ever with Love under center.
Jordan Love Legacy Moment on Sunday
Love and his Packers head to Dallas to take on the Cowboys in a Super Wild Card Weekend matchup. Despite their hot final month of the year and the way Love is playing, the youthful Packers are significant underdogs in this playoff matchup.
Ultimately, none of that matters. The game will be played on the field, giving Love and Co. a chance to do what hasn’t been done since playoff expansion: A No. 7 seed beating a No. 2 seed.
Love and the Packers look like they will be a real player in the NFC for quite some time, and while some think their time is coming eventually, they have a chance to do something today that proves their time is here and now.
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