Packers schedule: 3 games that will define Jordan Love’s first season as starter

The Green Bay Packers schedule is out, and with it is Jordan Love’s first full slate as starter. If all goes well, Love will win these three games and prove the front office right.

The Green Bay Packers front office has a lot of Jordan Love stock. It all started when they selected him in 2020 despite having a then mid-30’s Aaron Rodgers as a starter. That stock only grew in value when Green Bay stuck by Love despite back-to-back MVPs by the incumbent and future Hall of Famer in Rodgers.

Now, having traded Rodgers to the New York Jets after a down year by his standards, the Love era is finally set to begin. Matt LaFleur is confident in what he’s seen from the Utah State product so far. His time is now:

"“Just watching him last year. I think Jordan’s made some huge strides,” LeFleur said, via NFL.com. “I really do and I think a lot of it is a credit to Tom, and just, he knows how to train these guys. He knows how to drill them and he’s very, very consistent. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He just is matter of fact and I think there’s no doubt.”"

Those strides will be on fully display early and often for Love. In a wide open NFC North, the Packers have a huge target on their backs.

Packers schedule: Jordan Love must beat the Chicago Bears

Aaron Rodgers owned the Chicago Bears, this much he made obvious. As recently as last season, Rodgers defeated Chicago twice and suggested that his ownership claim remains. Even with the New York Jets, Rodgers stake isn’t going anywhere.

So, because of this metaphorical ‘ownership’, it’s all the more important that Green Bay gets off to a good start on the road in Chicago Week 1. The schedule gods gave Packers fans the chance at immediate payoff or despair, depending on how Love looks against Justin Fields and Co.

Sure, the Bears made some improvements this offseason. They surrounded Fields with talented, including former Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore. Chase Claypool should be healthy to start the year, and Darnell Wright has arrived to protect Fields blind side. It could be the beginning of something special in the Windy City.

But the Packers are more talented, even in their current form. They’ll have all of training camp to form a cohesive offense around Love. But if they lose to Chicago Week 1, this could all unravel real quick.

Another important reminder: Aaron Rodgers has a passer rating of 109.0 with 6,965 yards, 64 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 29 games against the Bears in his career.

Good luck.