The Green Bay Packers are making progress with starting quarterback Jordan Love, but according to the latest NFL rumors, they will make a change next summer and move up in the 2024 NFL selection to acquire a new franchise quarterback.
Following Week 10’s slate of Sunday games, Bleacher Report declared the quarterback position to be one of the Packers’ biggest weaknesses on the current roster and urged them to consider replacing Love during next spring’s NFL draft — if they have the guts to move up in the first round and select North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
“Jordan Love hasn’t inspired much confidence that he can be the Packers’ quarterback of the future and the organization can recoup some of the money he’s owed for next season with a post-June 1 release in the offseason,” the NFL crew at BR said on November 13, 2018. “While the Cheeseheads would likely have to move up to get Maye in the draft, the Tar Heel might just be worth the investment.”
If the season ended today, the Packers (3-6) would have the sixth overall pick in the 2024 draft, but Maye has risen up the rankings this season and may perhaps challenge USC’s Caleb Williams for the first overall pick. While other quarterbacks may pique their attention in the first round, the Packers will most likely have to trade up — or lose out — to secure one of the top two talents in the class.
Jordan Love Has Not Solidified His Long-Term Future
Questions regarding Love’s long-term future with the Packers are legitimate. He has shown glimpses of improvement over their difficult 2023 season, but there have also been multiple moments where his decision-making and accuracy have gotten the squad into difficulty.
Through nine starts in 2023, Love has completed only 58.7% of his passes (176 of 300), ranking last among quarterbacks who have played at least six games this season. Despite his 12 touchdown passes, he has thrown a league-high 10 interceptions, tying with Mac Jones of New England despite playing one fewer game.
Now, Love is not responsible for all of Green Bay’s faults and shortcomings. He is dealing with one of the NFL’s least experienced offensive supporting casts, with Josiah Deguara, a 2020 third-round pick, serving as the only pass-catcher with more than one full season. He also lost his All-Pro blindside blocker, David Bakhtiari, to a season-ending knee injury following the team’s opening game against Chicago.
Still, the Packers were certainly hoping for speedier results after allowing Love to sit and study behind four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers for the first three seasons of his NFL career. They even signed him to a contract deal during the offseason that keeps him with the organization until 2024; but, a poor finish to the 2023 season may persuade general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers’ management to change tactics for next year.
Packers Have Greater Roster Needs Than QB for 2024.
Don’t worry, Jordan Love defenders: the reasons for keeping him are still solid.
The Packers might seek a quarterback with their first pick in the 2024 draft, but their long-term strategy to Love’s development shows they are ready to allow him another year to establish himself. If that’s the case, they’d be far better suited using their 2024 first-round pick to bolster Love’s supporting cast, whether it’s a high-level wide receiver or one of the class’ best offensive tackles to replace Bakhtiari.
The Packers’ financial commitment to Love is also a factor in the dilemma. According to Bleacher Report, the Packers may save money by designating Love as a post-June 1 cut during next year’s offseason, but they would only save approximately $500,000 against the salary limit in 2024 and eat more than $7.25 million in dead cap. It’s difficult to envision Gutekunst paying such a significant price to get go of his hand-picked quarterback, even if 2023 performs far below expectations.
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