Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love acknowledges the burden that comes together with changing a four-time MVP.
He welcomes the scrutiny that’s certain to observe him all season.
“You’re an NFL quarterback,” Love stated Wednesday whereas speaking with reporters for the primary time for the reason that Packers traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets.
“There’s only so many of you. So everyone’s watching you. Everyone’s watching every move you make on the field, so it’s pressure. But that’s what comes with the position. That’s what I signed up for, that’s what I knew I was getting myself into and it comes down to me just making the most of that.”
After backing up Rodgers the final three seasons, Love lastly has his probability to indicate what he can do — he’ll open the 2023 season towards the Chicago Bears on Sept. 10 at Soldier Field. Love stated he and Rodgers have spoken since final month’s commerce.
“He wished me the best and (said he’s) always there for me if I need anything, if I have any questions or anything,” stated Love, the twenty sixth decide within the 2020 draft. “I’m always just grateful to be around him and for the time I had with him, to be able to learn and be behind him.”
Love’s profession up to now has included loads of studying and never a lot precise taking part in. His lone profession begin got here in a 13-7 loss at Kansas City in 2021 after a constructive COVID-19 take a look at sidelined Rodgers.
Love understood as quickly because the Packers drafted him that he must wait longer to play frequently than most first-round picks. The state of affairs nonetheless examined his persistence, notably after Rodgers signed a contract extension final 12 months that appeared to point he could be ending his profession in Green Bay.
“I’ll admit the hardest time was when he re-signed the contract last year,” Love stated. “It was kind of like, ‘OK, well, where do we go from here? What do I do?’ And I sat back, thought to myself and just came back with the approach like, ‘Let’s just go ball out any opportunity I get.’”
His alternative got here in November in Philadelphia when a rib damage sidelined Rodgers and induced Love to enter the sport with the Packers trailing 37-23. Love went 6 of 9 for 113 yards with a landing that night time, although the Packers nonetheless misplaced 40-33.
That efficiency backed up the feedback of teammates and coaches who stated Love had made exceptional strides. They’d seen Love profit from taking extra first-team reps final season whereas a damaged thumb restricted Rodgers’ apply time.
Love already had impressed them off the sphere with the way in which he had dealt with his lack of taking part in alternatives.
“He did it the right way,” operating again Aaron Jones stated. “He waited his time and you never heard one peep or complaint out of him.”
Love now finds himself having to emerge as a pacesetter. Even although he has made just one profession begin, Love, 24, is older than lots of the guys who will likely be catching his passes.
The solely wideouts below contract who had at the very least 100 yards receiving final season are 2022 draft picks Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. The Packers’ prime returning tight ends are Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis, who mixed to catch 17 passes for 140 yards final season.
The Packers added extra potential playmakers for Love within the draft by deciding on three receivers — Michigan State’s Jayden Reed within the second spherical, Virginia’s Dontayvion Wicks within the fifth and Charlotte’s Grant DuBose within the seventh — and two tight ends — Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave within the second and South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft within the third.
“It’s great,” Love stated. “We’ll get the opportunity to grow together, learn each other, learn what we like, learn what we want, and it’s easier with younger guys. They haven’t been around other guys that want it a certain way, want things to look like this, so it’s easier to get my point across of how I want things run.”
Love acknowledges he can assert himself a little bit extra and be a little bit extra vocal now that he’s the starter. Veterans are desirous to see what he can do with this long-awaited probability.
“He has everyone’s full respect,” Jones stated. “We’re all going to go lay it out on the line for him.”
After Love spent the previous few years ready his flip, the Packers may need to be affected person with him. After all, they went 6-10 in 2008 when Rodgers was a first-year starter.
“I know it’s not going to be easy,” Love stated. “I do know there’s going to be ups and downs. And the factor I’m going to inform guys is, ‘Stick together. Stay together through the whole process, and the tighter we can get a bond together as a team, the easier it’s going to be to face these challenges.’ “
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Source: www.bostonherald.com