Packers: Matt LaFleur’s praise of Jordan Love could push Aaron Rodgers away

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was adamant in his praise of quarterback Jordan Love. Will that help or hurt his relationship with Aaron Rodgers?

It’s fair to say that Rodgers last few years in Green Bay have been tumultuous, to say the least. It all started with the Packers’ decision to draft Love without informing the all-time great.

While those are problems of the past, LaFleur and Co. must know that their best chance to win in the short-term is to keep Rodgers around as long as possible. He’s won back-to-back MVPs for a reason.

"“I know the numbers don’t necessarily reflect probably how I feel,” LaFleur said, h/t Mike Spofford of Packers.com. “He stood in the pocket and was throwing on rhythm. Unfortunately again we had too many drops.”“He was decisive. I think that’s the big thing from him,” LaFleur continued. “I see a much more decisive player out there. I think that’s going to lead to a much more effective player.”"

Could Aaron Rodgers still leave the Packers?

Love completed half of his passes for one touchdown and no turnovers in his second preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. With Rodgers not playing in the preseason (as of yet), Love has received plenty of looks with the first team.

Rodgers made it clear he prefers to retire in Green Bay. So did Brett Favre, though the latter had more of an urge to play into middle age. And despite Love making strides, Rodgers is not being chased by a Pro Bowl-caliber player, as Favre was at the time.

The 38-year-old is signed through his age-44 season, technically. The only way he’d leave Green Bay is a trade, which is why the Packers now hold all the cards.

The only way this script is flipped is if Rodgers becomes unhappy. The NFL will never be the NBA, but after witnessing Tom Brady leave the New England Patriots just a few years ago, anything is possible.

Keeping Rodgers happy should always be at the forefront of the Packers’ plans. Praising his backup, while convenient and small in theory, could make for a complicated situation if Rodgers struggles early in the year.