Jordan Love’s first season as a Green Bay Packers starter was a learning experience. Not only did Love take over for future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but he also tried to win games with the NFL’s youngest club.
Before the season began, hardly one gave Green Bay a chance to make the playoffs. Most saw the 2023-24 season as a “transitional year,” with the following season being crucial for Jordan Love’s development. For the first two months of the season, Green Bay looked just like that: a squad that didn’t know how to win close games and was going through some growing pains while figuring it out.
That all changed on the Week 12 Thanksgiving Day clash against the Detroit Lions where Love had a nearly perfect game. Love went 22 of 32 for 268 yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling 29-22 victory. Since then, Love transformed himself into the best player in football and helped Green Bay sneak into the postseason by knocking off the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17 and the Chicago Bears in Week 18.
In his first postseason start against the Dallas Cowboys, Love had a spectacular game, going 16 of 21 for 272 yards and three touchdowns in an upset 48-32 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. While Green Bay’s season ended disappointingly, this doesn’t take away from the season Jordan Love had in his first season as the starter.
Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur spoke about Jordan Love’s development in 2023.
Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur spoke glowingly about Jordan Love’s first year as a starter. (Via Ryan Wood)
“He had a hell of a year. Let’s not look past that. He really did just to see the growth. I talked with him about it last night, the growth in him as a commander. He’s an extension of us.”
Hard to disagree with LaFleur here. This was the discourse about Love early in the season. (Via Yahoo Sports.)
Jordan Love was dubbed a bust before he had a chance to mature. But Love went out and played his finest football, disproving the assumption that he was a bust. Love’s performances down the stretch not only won over the Packers’ fans, but the organization will most likely reward him with a hefty contract extension this offseason.
Consider how what was considered as a poor pick three years ago has paid off, as the Green Bay Packers have acquired another franchise quarterback.
