GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – There weren’t any 260 pound edge rushers in the Lambeau Field media auditorium Wednesday afternoon, or blitzing safeties for that matter, but before a discerning audience of media members, Jordan Love sailed smoothly through his first press conference since being anointed as the Green Bay Packers starting quarterback.
Jordan Love, QB1, meets the press at Lambeau.
The Pack’s 2020 first round draft choice, now a veteran entering his fourth NFL season, may not be ready to diagnose the first disguised coverage thrown at him by a defensive coordinator this fall, but he was prepared for the opening question thrown at him during his 17 minute session with reporters.
It was a “where were you and what were you doing” query when he first learned Aaron Rodgers had been traded to the Jets. Love couldn’t recall exactly what he was doing on that Monday afternoon, the 24th of April. His cell phone blew up but he took the inevitable news matter of factly. He then fielded calls from General Manager Brian Gutekunst and Head Coach Matt LaFleur and went back about his business of preparing for a moment he’s been waiting a long time for.
Love knew there would be an apprenticeship behind one of the NFL’s all-time great quarterbacks when he arrived just as the COVID-19 pandemic was taking hold. His patience was tested when Rodgers put together back to back MVP seasons in 2020 and 2021. Doubts about never getting a shot with Green Bay only took serious root when Rodgers signed a three year contract extension last spring. Love said, “I’m not gonna lie, that was the hardest time. It was like, OK, where do we go from here, what do I do?” He decided he was just going to “ball out” every chance he got be in pre-season or practice and continue to grow.
Once the disappointing 8-9 season ended and the speculation was building the Packers were ready to move on from Rodgers after 18 seasons, Love redoubled his off-season preparation work. Once Rodgers told the Pat McAfee show he intended to play in 2023 and he wanted to play for the Jets, Love realized a trade was not a matter of time.
Once consumated, just minutes before Gutekunst met reporters for his pre-draft news conference, Jordan said he had one last conversation with Rodgers that included best wishes both ways and a promise from his predecessor to help in any way he can in the future.
Now Love’s focus is on the future. He said is confidence in his ability has never wavered and he’s excited to start building a rapport with what will be the NFL’s youngest wide receiving corps. He’s already spent time in California working with both Aaron Jones and Romeo Doubs. He knows he’ll have to be a more vocal leader at practice and meetings but he diligently watched and learned from Rodgers about how to handle all aspects of being a starting quarterback.
Love is also happy Quarterbacks Coach Tom Clements is returning. He’s been a huge asset in refining all the details of playing the position from footwork to reading coverages.
As for the pressure of following a legend? Love said there’s only 32 of these jobs and pressure is expected and welcomed.
The process is about to begin in earnest when the Packers open their organized team activities in two weeks. Then comes a mini-camp, training camp a pre-season trio of warmups and the regular season schedule which comes out Thursday night.
Love may have saved his best answer for last when he was asked if he’s got a plan for dealing with what certainly will be highs and lows in year 1 as QB-1.
If Jordan handles defenders in September as well as he handled reporters in May, the Packers may be in good hands.
