Jordan Love was the recipient of an absurd amount of pre-draft hype, despite having 20 Touchdown throws to 17 interceptions. The Green Bay Packers traded up four spots to take Jordan Love 26th overall. History seems to be repeating itself.
In 2004 the Packers had legendary quarterback Brett Favre under center, a sure fire Hall of Famer and playing great football. In 2004 Favre threw for 4,088 yards, 30 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Then after losing in the wildcard round to the Vikings, the Packers began thinking about life after Favre. Reason being, they were uncertain about whether he’d retire or not. In the 2005 NFL Draft, the two best quarterbacks were Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers. Rumors were circulating about Rodgers going number one overall to the 49ers, that’s when the slide began. The 49ers pick Alex Smith, then Rodgers kept falling and falling. The Packers couldn’t pass up on an heir to Brett Favre.
Now in 2020, we have a similar situation. Legendary quarterback and sure fire hall of famer Aaron Rodgers. Playing great football to the tune of 4,002 yards, 26 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Making it all the way to the NFC Championship Game and then losing to the Francisco 49ers. Jordan Love was getting hype, that was completely insane, about being a QB that should be picked in the teens. When he fell to 26 the Packers felt the need to move up and take their heir to Aaron Rodgers.
Jordan Love vs Aaron Rodgers Draft
While these situations are similar, they’re so incredibly different. For starters, in the 2005 Draft there was talk that Rodgers should be taken number one overall. That was never the case with Love, in fact he hardly got first round hype until draft prep began. The Packers also traded up to select Love, which was not the case in 2005 with Rodgers. Plus, there was talk that Rodgers had a better arm than Favre in 2005 and Aaron was smarter than Favre in 2005. There is no belief anywhere that Love had a better arm than Rodgers right now or that he is better at reading defenses. Now for the most notable difference, the “Brett Favre Retirement Watch.” Favre kept bouncing between retiring or continuing to play. This is what led to Rodgers being drafted, so the Packers wouldn’t be screwed if Favre decided to call it quits. Rodgers has been on the record saying he wants to play until he’s 40!
“The best decision for the Packers”
Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst said, “I think it’s certainly, this is something that is a long-term decision. I think when you go through kind of the way things went tonight, you run the short term and the long term. The way the board fell, this was the best decision for the Packers.” While it may be a good long-term move, it’s a hard sell. Not only do they pass on a Wide Receiver in a stacked class, it’s not like Love fell to 30. The Packers traded up to get Love. There was no talk about him being the best quarterback, Rodgers can’t be happy. It’s hard to imagine that Jordan Love will be helping the Packers get to any Super Bowls in the next couple years.
