Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers can see some similarities between his situation with Brett Favre and Jordan Love’s current situation with the Packers. Rodgers addressed Love’s journey to the NFL, saying he can see the progress Love has made as he waits for a starting opportunity.
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Rodgers was asked if Love has received as much criticism as Rodgers when he was stuck behind Favre on the depth chart. Rodgers said he wasn’t sure, then gave some insight into how Love has grown over the past two seasons.
Rodgers’ response read:
“I think there’s always pressure on a first-round pick. The tracks look more similar every day, [Love] being in my third year and me waiting behind Brett for three years. Something clicks at some point and the game slows down and you make the plays you know you’re capable of and I’m looking forward to seeing it on Friday. And against the Saints, too.
“But the biggest thing for a quarterback is confidence and confidence comes from consistency and fundamentals and making plays in practice and feeling good about the offense and everything that’s expected of you.
“I think we all go at our own pace. It took the years to get where I was. Whether the reviews were the same in ’05, ’06 and ’07 for me as they were for him, I do’ I don’t know . Some things you go through as you’ve had success. But I’m excited for him this preseason. I think he’s pitched really nice. He’s made some good pitches. More consistent with his fundamentals. And I hope he comes out and hits balls “.
The similarities are there and listening to Rodgers is important given his frustrations at sitting behind Favre. Obviously, things worked out for Rodgers. He proved his excellence immediately after being trusted in the starting line-up and hasn’t looked back.
Jordan Love is still working for the starting spot
Love may have to wait even longer to get its chance. Love was believed to step into the starting role if the team traded Rodgers in the offseason. When that didn’t happen, and Rodgers signed a new five-year contract, there was thought that maybe Love would move on to a team that needed a starter.
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Instead, Love stayed with the Packers and is ready to back up Rodgers for one more season. If Love’s journey parallels Rodgers’ early years, Love would take over as the Packers’ starter next season. That won’t happen barring a major regression or an injury to Rodgers.
If Love is going to assume a starting role, he will likely have to go to another team. Playing well in the preseason could lead to a deal, and that’s probably in the best interest of both sides at this point.
Aaron Rodgers sees improvement from Jordan Love. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
