Packers shouldn’t overreact to Jordan Love’s early struggles

The Green Bay Packers shouldn’t jump to conclusions about Jordan Love

This definitely goes against the defining principle of NFL training camp coverage—which requires overreaction both positive and negative to every development—but maybe, just maybe, Jordan Love should be cut some slack after a tough introduction with the Green Bay Packers.

Yes, he was a somewhat controversial first-round pick for Green Bay. The Packers probably should have taken a wide receiver to support Aaron Rodgers instead of trading up for a quarterback to replace him

That’s no reason to dunk on the player. He was drafted to develop behind Rodgers, not to instantly take his spot.

Jordan Love has a tougher-than-normal task settling into life with the Packers.

Love’s career could have gotten off to a better start, that’s for sure.

Matt Schneidman of The Athletic penned a damning evaluation of the quarterback saying, “Love has yet to even provide a glimpse at why the Packers traded up to draft him in the first round…every throw he makes seems like a touch pass and he’s had some accuracy issues early on.”

Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Love’s issues are related to indecision.

“I know there’s a lot going through his mind right now, but sometimes you’ve just got to shut it off and let your instincts take over and really go out and rip the ball,” LaFleur said. “That’s kind of the challenge to him right now.”

Indecision is tied to confidence and you could forgive Love for lacking some of that right now.

He wasn’t able to go through a normal NFL preseason after being selected in a virtual draft during a pandemic which changed human life as we knew it. His first meetings as a professional were held remotely, with every bit of knowledge he has received up to now coming mentally not physically. It’ll take some time for the body to catch up with the brain.

Moreover, Love didn’t have the advantage Joe Burrow or Tua Tagovailoa had playing against SEC defenses in college. For Love, the transition from Mountain West to NFL competition has got to be stark.

Coaches and quarterbacks always talk about the process of having the game slow down as they get more and more comfortable in the system. Love’s introduction to the NFL has come at light-speed. It shouldn’t surprise to see him struggle somewhat. It’s certainly not a reason to write him off.

Green Bay drafted a project. The book on Love was always that he had raw talent which needed developing. Nothing has changed on that front. The advantage the Packers and Love have truly is time. If he’s not ready to play in the NFL right now, that’s fine. He’s not expected to play right now.

What matters for Love is how he weathers this storm of transition and criticism. It could break him, or it could make him that much stronger down the line.