Green Bay Packers Evaluating Jordan Love Amidst Chaos
Can Love Thrive in Turbulent Conditions?
The Green Bay Packers have set their sights on evaluating Jordan Love this season, with hopes of determining whether he can be their long-term starting quarterback. However, this task has become increasingly challenging due to the chaotic circumstances that surround Love on a play-by-play basis.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst acknowledged the difficulty of evaluating not just the quarterback, but the entire team when it fails to function as it should. The Packers are aware that they need to rectify these issues in order to properly assess the players in the room.
While Love takes responsibility for the offensive struggles, it is important to note that the conditions around him have been far from ideal. The team has been unable to establish a successful running game, making the offense one-dimensional and limiting Love’s ability to utilize play-action effectively. Additionally, the pass protection has declined, leaving Love under constant pressure and hindering the success of an inexperienced offense.
Furthermore, Love has been hindered by a young group of receivers and tight ends who have struggled with route running, drops, and contested catch situations throughout the season. Injuries and penalties have only exacerbated the on-field issues faced by the Packers.
The cumulative effect of these problems has resulted in an offense that frequently finds itself in long down-and-distance situations, making it difficult to execute their game plan effectively. Gutekunst emphasized the challenge of evaluating individual players when the entire unit is out of sync.
Unless the circumstances surrounding Love improve, it will be an uphill battle for him to showcase his abilities. While it is unrealistic to expect ideal conditions for a first-year quarterback, it is unlikely that many rookies would thrive in the current environment.
The recent trade of Rasul Douglas has further destabilized the situation around Love. Although Douglas played on the defensive side, his absence weakens the unit and could result in more points allowed, placing additional pressure on the struggling offense.
Gutekunst explained that the decision to trade Douglas was based on the team’s evaluation of their young players at the cornerback position. However, he acknowledged the challenge of improving the team while simultaneously considering the future. The Packers face a significant decision in the upcoming offseason, as they are on track for a high draft pick in a quarterback-rich class. If they choose to build around Love, it would be unusual for a long-term quarterback option to play out their contract on a one-year deal, potentially leading to an extension. This raises questions about their commitment to Love and the possibility of passing up on top quarterback prospects.
With 10 games remaining in the season, the Packers have ample time to evaluate Love and make a final decision. However, they must avoid ending the season with uncertainty. The worst outcome for Green Bay would be to remain in a state of limbo, unsure whether to start over at quarterback or commit to building around Love in the future.
Gutekunst emphasized the team’s focus on the immediate challenge of defeating the Rams, expressing confidence in Love. He believes that once the offense improves, the decision regarding Love’s future will naturally fall into place.