Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
The Green Bay Packers (6-6) are surging, having won three games in a row and four of their last five. Much of their recent success has coincided with the breakout of quarterback Jordan Love, who looks every bit the part of a franchise quarterback.
Perhaps sitting behind an all-time great such as Aaron Rodgers did the 25-year-old well, as it did for Rodgers nearly two decades ago when he served as the backup to Brett Favre. Speaking of Rodgers, the now New York Jets quarterback, he made his weekly Tuesday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” — two days after Love led the Packers to a 27-19 Week 13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs (8-4). Love was superb, completing 25-of-36 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns.
Rodgers said while Love’s success doesn’t surprise him, he believes everyone should be patient before crowning him just 13 starts into his career.
“No, no I’m not [surprised],” Rodgers said. “He’s playing, especially the last three games, outstanding. But he’s in his first year starting. As well as he’s playing, can we not crown him right now? For his own sake. Because we shouldn’t do that to kids. We shouldn’t crown them, and we shouldn’t cancel them. … I love Jordan and I think he’s gonna be a great player in the league for a long time, but can we let him play his career?”
Jordan Love improving, Packers take over playoff spot in NFC
Over the last five games, Love has thrown for 1,374 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions on 67% passing. After the win over Kansas City, Green Bay has put itself in the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC.
While Rodgers’ ending in Green Bay wasn’t exactly what he envisioned, he’s still rooting for his former team, as well as Love, from afar.
“There’s some people who probably think I was rooting against the Packers this year because of Jordan —couldn’t be farther from the truth,” Rodgers said. “I’m not a bitter person about that. Obviously, I wish things had gone different when I was in Green Bay, and there’s things I wish I had done better, but I have so much love for that organization.”
