Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love has efficient night in first game action

Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love looked solid and efficient in his first game action in the NFL.

It seems kinda crazy, especially because he was drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, but Saturday night was the first start (and game action) for Jordan Love in a Green Bay Packers uniform and the first live reps he had since the 2020 Senior Bowl, which feels way too long ago. There was plenty of anticipation for this after head coach Matt LaFleur said Love would get “a majority” of the time out there.

It ended up just being the first half, but Love made the most of his time out there. He completed 12 of 17 passing for 122 yards and a touchdown.

Early on, Love struggled a bit to get into a rhythm, to which nerves probably contributed. He threw a quick WR screen and a rollout toss to Jace Sternberger, but challenged a tight window throw to Amari Rodgers that was broken up, ending in a three and out.

After a second straight quick punt, even after finding A.J. Dillon on a check down after stepping up into the pocket, Love started to find his rhythm. His 34 yard strike down the seam to Sternberger on third down was a very well-placed throw in between the sinking linebackers and the safeties, and that got him into the rhythm he needed. Love found Malik Taylor to convert on another third down, putting a throw to a slant route right on the money to give Taylor a chance to make something happen after the catch. He also found Devin Funchess over the middle.

Jordan Love’s touchdown pass was his sixth straight completion, a screen pass to running back Kylin Hill who took it to the house with good blocking and a great move in space. He challenged the Texans deep on a fourth down, and his placement was solid, giving Funchess an opportunity to make a play. His one big miscue was a lost fumble on a strip sack, as he didn’t feel the pressure coming from the blindside.

Overall, Jordan Love came out and had an efficient night for the Green Bay Packers. Once he got into a rhythm, his placement was very good, especially in the quick game. His deep shots were well-placed as well, and routinely gave his receivers a chance to make plays. The velocity also showed up as expected, as the ball came off with some juice on all his throws.

Even Aaron Rodgers in an interview praised Love’s game, saying “he had good footwork”, and noting how important that is for a quarterback. He said Love “knew when to hitch and when not to” and said he played well.

This game is something to build on for Love in his young career with the Green Bay Packers. The velocity he has is tremendous, and he has the ability to make the wow throws. His footwork looked better, and his placement was good overall. He still looks like he’s aiming some of the short throws, and needs to work on his pocket presence, but it was still a good first outing. His confidence and trust should only grow, and it will be good to see how he develops throughout the preseason.