The numbers backed Matt LaFleur‘s preseason strategy – playing starters supposedly reduces regular-season injuries. His analytical approach made perfect sense on paper, using data to justify risking franchise players in meaningless games. Then reality crashed the party when Jordan Love’s thumb met a Jets helmet. LaFleur’s calculated risk exploded in his face. The very strategy designed to protect his quarterback from future harm caused immediate damage requiring surgery. Critics questioned his decision-making while Love headed to the operating room. But analysts insist LaFleur still has the full back of Jordan Love. How?
Colin Cowherd’s Tuesday podcast with Mike Sando dropped some brutal truth about Jordan Love’s NFL standing. The conversation revealed where league executives really rank Green Bay’s franchise quarterback among his peers. Sando’s annual survey of 50 GMs and assistant GMs placed Love in an uncomfortable spot that might surprise Packers fans.
“This kid is something. And then last year he’s banged up and he kind of regresses. So where are we, according to your 50 GMs, assistant GMs, where are we on Jordan Love? Well, he’s low tier two. The only guy lower in tier two is Brock Purdy. I think with a feeling that he has the talent to ascend higher in tier two. But I thought the quotes on him were fascinating all over the place,” Sando revealed.
Sep 6, 2024; Sao Paulo, BRA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) is assisted off the field after an injury during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Neo Quimica Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Love ranks in the bottom half of starting quarterbacks according to NFL executives, sharing company only with Purdy in the lowest tier-two category. His 2024 regression after missing two games with a knee injury clearly impacted his standing among decision-makers. The injury itself occurred during Love’s 11th and final snap against the Jets.
Facing pressure on third-and-four, he tried extending the play with his legs—something he plans to utilize more this season. “I had a moment where I was trying to step up, get out of there, and they kind of collapsed on me. Was trying to move around, but there was nothing really there. I don’t think I had room to take off. One of those instances where I tried my best to get down right there,” Love explained.
His mobility attempt backfired when the pocket collapsed, leading to both a sack and the thumb injury requiring surgery. The executive quotes Sando gathered reveal deep divisions about Love’s ceiling: “One guy said, hey, I think that Matt LaFleur is actually holding him back by running his offense and should be tailored around him. Another one was like, hey, this guy Jordan Love is propped up by the big skill players around him. And I think another one was, you know, talking about just, you know, that he’s really hasn’t taken that next step. And you wonder why. And it seems odd that he throws the ball deep so much. Like, was this part of the plan or is he a throwback to guys who bring it down the field? So that plays into the interceptions.”
No doubt, Green Bay’s receiver corps has turned into a disaster zone during the most critical stretch of training camp. Christian Watson remains sidelined on the PUP list with his ACL recovery dragging into August. Dontayvion Wicks can’t shake his calf injury, while Jayden Reed’s foot problem has cost him a full week of practice. The carnage continued when Romeo Doubs collided with safety Evan Williams during practice, forcing him to leave early. Rookie Savion Williams also exited with lingering health concerns, leaving Matt LaFleur with a skeleton crew of healthy targets.
Mike Sando didn’t mince words about Green Bay’s receiver room struggles. “There’s some health issues, some drop issues, some immaturity issues. And by going after a receiver from Texas who I like that. And I think Green Bay historically drafts pretty smart. They do. They draft and develop. I think it kind of spoke volumes about it’s not a Jordan issue,” he explained, acknowledging that the problems extend beyond Love’s development. First-round pick Matthew Golden has stepped up amid the chaos, impressing coaches with his reliability. Depth players like Malik Heath, Mecole Hardman, and Cornelius Johnson are suddenly getting meaningful reps as LaFleur adapts to his depleted roster.
But one executive believes LaFleur’s system restricts Love’s potential, while another credits his weapons for inflating his production. A third questioned his aggressive downfield approach, noting it contributes to his interception problems—he threw 11 picks last season alongside 25 touchdowns. But what about his injury update timeline heading into the regular season opener?
Love’s thumb surgery forces Packers to lean on Willis during crucial preseason stretch
Jordan Love’s collision with Jay Tufele’s helmet turned a routine sack into a surgical necessity. The Packers quarterback underwent a procedure Tuesday to repair ligament damage in his left thumb, creating uncertainty about Green Bay’s offensive preparation heading into the regular season. Brian Gutekunst delivered the news with cautious optimism, emphasizing Love’s expected return timeline. “We’re hoping to have him back next week. He shouldn’t miss any regular-season time,” the GM stated. His confidence stems from medical assessments suggesting the ligament repair won’t require extended rehabilitation.
Matt LaFleur admitted this injury type presents uncharted territory for his coaching experience. “From what I’ve been understanding, it’s a relatively quick recovery. We’ll try to make the best of it. You don’t want anybody to miss practice, whether it’s a starter or backup. You want everybody there working on their craft, putting in the work to get better. When someone’s not there, it’s an opportunity for somebody else,” LaFleur explained. His learning curve involves adapting offensive concepts around Love’s limitations once he returns.
Love’s Monday practice revealed the injury’s immediate impact. He handled snaps normally but struggled with handoffs, relying solely on his right hand for ball transfers. LaFleur noticed his quarterback trying to “power through” the discomfort, demonstrating Love’s competitive nature. Hence, Malik Willis steps into the spotlight during Love’s absence, operating the first-team offense. His two wins filling in for Love’s knee injury last season provide confidence. “I love what Malik’s been able to do in his short time here in terms of a lot of the core fundamentals that I think are critical in terms of producing good quarterback play,” LaFleur noted. Green Bay’s championship window remains intact with Love’s quick recovery timeline, but losing practice reps hurts offensive timing development.
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