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Packers: What to Watch For in Jordan Love’s Preseason Debut

By Andrew Fischer

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass during training camp at Ray Nitschke Field, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinGpg Green Bay Packers Training Camp 08032021 0013
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass during training camp at Ray Nitschke Field, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinGpg Green Bay Packers Training Camp 08032021 0013 /
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Jul 28, 2021; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and quarterback Jordan Love (10) are shown during the first day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Jul 28, 2021; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and quarterback Jordan Love (10) are shown during the first day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK /

Showing flashes

I went back and watched the tape of Patrick Mahomes’ first career NFL regular season start on the road against the Denver Broncos in week 17 of the 2017 season. In the first quarter alone, he threw a horrific interception, failed to catch a shotgun snap that sailed over his head for a big loss and threw a beautiful 30-yard seam route to his tight end on 3rd and 10. Later, he was wrapped up by a defender but was still able to zing a 20-yard dart to his wide receiver on 3rd and 14.

In no way am I comparing Jordan Love to Patrick Mahomes as there isn’t anyone like Mahomes in the entire history of the NFL. But the point is that often the truly special quarterbacks in the NFL show flashes of greatness right away. It’s highly unlikely that Jordan Love will be lights-out amazing on Saturday night in his first preseason start, but it would be a good sign for him to make a play or two or three that definitively demonstrate why the Green Bay Packers traded up in the first round to get him.

It might be a 3rd down completion under duress, a scramble to gain yards when everything else broke down, or even a successfully executed zone-read option run. But if Jordan Love is going to justify the Packers prematurely (and maybe inadvertently) ushering Rodgers out the door, he needs to be fantastic on Saturday night, if only for a few plays.

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