Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur praised Jordan Love for being “light years ahead” of where he was last year.
Last year, it was unknown whether Aaron Rodgers would ever play for the Green Bay Packers again. But this offseason, after winning the NFL MVP award for the second consecutive year, Aaron Rodgers re-signed with the Packers on a lucrative contract extension. Ahead of the 2022 season, backup quarterback Jordan Love has impressed throughout training camp, and it has once again caught the attention of his head coach.
After Green Bay’s preseason game against the New Orleans Saints, Matt LaFleur said that Love is “light years ahead of where he was a year ago.”
Matt LaFleur praises Jordan Love after preseason showing
“I know the numbers don’t necessarily reflect probably how I feel,” LaFleur said, h/t Mike Spofford of Packers.com. “He stood in the pocket and was throwing on rhythm. Unfortunately again we had too many drops.”
“He was decisive. I think that’s the big thing from him,” LaFleur continued. “I see a much more decisive player out there. I think that’s going to lead to a much more effective player.”
In the 20-10 win over the Saints, Love completed 12-of-24 pass attempts for 113 yards and one touchdown.
In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Packers traded up to select Love out of Utah State. It was quite obvious that the move was made as a succession plan in case Rodgers were to leave the team in the future. Even though Rodgers is locked in on a new contract, he has spoken publicly about retirement.
Putting Rodgers retirement talk aside, Love would be the go-to quarterback for the Packers if the veteran were unable to play in a game. Love had to do just that last season against the Kansas City Chiefs after Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19, where he completed 19-of-34 passes for 190 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the 13-7 loss.
In six appearances last season, Love completed 58.1-percent of his passes for 411 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Hearing LaFleur say that Love is above and beyond better than he was a year ago has to make Packers fans feel confident about the quarterback position heading into the 2022 season.
