Explaining the silver lining to Aaron Rodgers missing Packers minicamp
Packers fans shouldn’t be too upset about Aaron Rodgers missing minicamp. His absence gives Jordan Love an opportunity to shine with the first team.
Aaron Rodgers can’t be the Packers’ starting quarterback forever. At some point, age-related regression or injury will either push him down the depth chart or onto another roster. That’s why his decision to hold out from the team’s current minicamp has a solid upside for Green Bay as an organization.
Rodgers’ predictable decision to stay away from the festivities gives second-year pro Jordan Love an opportunity to get a lot more work with the first team. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network claims the former Utah State signal-caller has shown signs of “real progress” this offseason. That’s good news for a Packers’ front office that controversially spent a first round pick to garner his services instead of landing a player capable of helping Rodgers win immediately.
The Packers need Love to prove his worth to the entire NFL as soon as possible. If the team is able to lock Rodgers down to a lucrative long-term contract extension it likely means they’ll look to trade Love to another quarterback-needy team. A stellar showing during the preseason could do wonders to increase Love’s value for potential trade partners.
The more conventional expectation would be for Love to develop quickly enough to oust Rodgers as the team’s starter. That seemed to be the organization’s plan when they drafted him. Rodgers didn’t comply with that line of thinking by continuing to play at an All-Pro level despite questions about the talent surrounding him at the skill positions.
Jordan Love is important to the Packers no matter what
No matter what Packers fans want to see happen at the quarterback position it’s inarguable that Love’s development is crucial to their franchise’s short and long-term future. If he blossoms into a bright enough star to replace Rodgers then the front office will look like geniuses for going against the grain to grab him in Round 1.
If Love isn’t able to overtake Rodgers then the Packers need to position him as a premium draft asset. In a perfect world, they can get multiple high draft picks in exchange for a player that another team believes is capable of stepping him and becoming their starter right away. That will require Love being given enough preseason opportunities to flash brilliance for other front offices.
The development of Love is huge for Green Bay’s future. They need to extract serious value from him one way or another. Getting him more minicamp reps is a step in that direction for the Packers front office.