Jordan Love is taking on Aaron Rodgers’ difficult legacy with the Packers. His performance and progress are causing optimism in Green Bay.

In any team sport, when arguably the most important player leaves, the shoes to fill for the vacant position are immense. So is the pressure that comes with it.

One who finds himself in exactly that situation is Jordan Love. The Green Bay Packers quarterback has to replace none other than the departed superstar, Super Bowl winner and four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.

And not just him. Rodgers and his predecessor Brett Favre provided excellence at the playmaker position in Green Bay for over three decades. The fans at Lambeau Field are spoiled by this consistency. If possible, they want it to continue in the same way, with Love shaping the next era. The Wisconsin franchise is still a long way from that point, but the hope for success is there – and growing.

Last preseason, no signal caller in the NFL threw more interceptions than Love. In preparation for the new season, there can be no question of that. Touchdown passes yes, turnovers no. Of all the quarterbacks who have thrown at least a dozen passes, the 24-year-old has the third-best passer rating.

Against the Patriots, he impressed with a 93-yard drive that ended in a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Reed. Highlight in one of the only four plays before that: A 42-yard pass to Romeo Doubs that was initially ruled an incomplete pass but turned out to be a catch. Love had also impressed in the previous game against the Bengals.

Packers head coach praises Jordan Love

While the new starter didn’t get nearly as many snaps as backup Sean Clifford, after three years behind Rodgers and his experience so far, Love feels he’s ready for the first game of the season against arch-rival Chicago Bears on September 10.

“At this point, I think I’m definitely ready for week one, and I’ll keep that going throughout the season,” the playmaker said confidently after the game against New England was cut short early due to a serious injury.

The 24-year-old also drew praise from his head coach. “I’m really impressed with how he performed,” said Head Coach Matt LaFleur. “Obviously, execution plays a big role. I think we’ve all seen the growth over the last couple of years. It’s been pretty cool to see that happen. “The Packers coach was pleased with the development of his playmaker.

Quarterback coach as important factor

LaFleur already let it be known in the spring that quarterback coach Tom Clements has played a not insignificant role in this.

At the time, he explained in an interview with “NFL.com” that Love had made “great strides” and “I think a big part of that is a credit to Tom. He just knows how to coach these guys. He knows how to drill them, and he’s very, very consistent. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He’s just no-nonsense and there’s no doubt about that. “

And because nothing is glossed over, the one scene in which Love looked anything but good against the Patriots should get special attention in the analysis. On the hosts’ very first possession, there was a miscommunication at the snap between centre Josh Myers and Love behind him.

Love with miscommunication at the snap

Because Myers believed one of the Patriots players had jumped offside, he took the snap early. Love, however, was not ready to receive the ball at that point, it flew past him and New England recovered the fumble at the 18-yard line. Touchdown included on the ensuing possession.

Love likely took the extraordinary-looking moment as a warning, and Coach LaFleur remained grounded as well. “You’re only as good as your last game, we all know that, and there’s still a lot of work to do.”

Looking at his playmaker’s progress, which, by the way, according to quarterbacks coach Clements, is mostly in his footwork, rhythm and timely delivery of the ball, LaFleur shouldn’t have any trepidation before the season starts, though.