Last April, shortly after the Green Bay Packers traded future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, it became apparent that former first-round pick Jordan Love would take over as the starting quarterback for the Pack. But one question asked was whether Love could compare to 2022 Rodgers statistically in his first year as the starter. You can see that article here. So, how has Love done through 15 games?
The Different Circumstances When Comparing 2023 Love and 2022 Rodgers
Obviously, there are significant differences between the 2022 Packers and the 2023 version of the team. The 2022 Packers had more veterans on the offensive roster. Rodgers could throw to experienced players like Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Robert Tonyan, and Marcedes Lewis.
By comparison, Love didn’t have any wide receivers or tight ends (if you count Josiah Deguara as an H-back/fullback) who had more than one year of NFL experience.
Obviously, Rodgers played through thumb and rib injuries although he did not miss a game while Love has remained healthy.
Rodgers had David Bakhtiari in the lineup protecting his blind side for 11 games, Love had him for just one.
Rodgers also had a healthy Aaron Jones while in 2023, Jones has missed six full games and has been limited in many others.
Obviously, Love still has two more games to play this season.
Comparing the Numbers
2022 Aaron Rodgers
542 ATT 350 CMP 64.6 PCT 3,695 YDS 26 TD 12 INT Y/A 6.8 91.1 QBR
2023 Jordan Love
514 ATT 321 CMP 62.5 PCT 3,587 YDS 27TD 11 INT Y/A 7.0 91.8 QBR
Rushing Comparison:
2022 Rodgers: Rushes 34 Yards 94 TD 1
2023 Love: Rushes 45 Yards 246 TD 3
Record Through 15 Games:
2022 Rodgers: 7-8-0
2022 Love: 7-8-0
300 Yard Passing Games:
2022 Rodgers: 0
2023 Love: 1
Games with 100 or Higher QB Rating:
2022 Rodgers: 3
2023 Love: 8
4th Quarter Comebacks/Game Winning Drives:
2022 Rodgers: 4
2023 Love: 3
Looking Forward: Comparing 2022 Aaron Rodgers and 2023 Jordan Love
Obviously, we don’t know what a healthy Rodgers could have done with the Jets this season. He played just one series before being injured and lost for the season. The Jets obviously have a much better defense than the Packers do this year so that would have made Rodgers’ job easier when it came to wins and losses. He also has familiar receivers available to him like Cobb and Lazard and the talented Garrett Wilson.
Rodgers turned 40 earlier this month but has already indicated he intends to play in 2024.
Love still has two games remaining in the 2023 season. If the Packers can beat the Vikings in Week 17, he will enter the season finale with a chance to be in a similar situation as Rodgers and the Packers were in 2022: win the game and you’re likely in the playoffs.
Rodgers came up short in that respect as the Packers lost to Detroit. Love still has a chance to lead the Pack to the postseason although he has to overcome the poor play of Joe Barry’s defense.
If Love leads the team to one win in the final two games, the 2023 Packers will equal last season’s 8-9 record.
Love has one more year left on his contract. He will enter 2024 as the Packers starter. After May, the Packers are likely to open negotiations for a new deal with the Utah State alum to lock him up as the team’s quarterback for the long-term.
There are still two games left, but Love has roughly matched Rodgers’ 2022 numbers during a season of transition. He still has a chance to surpass them.
Will Love become an elite quarterback like Rodgers was? He still has a long way to go to get there. But if he can improve his footwork and consistency, he has the talent to become at least a quality starting quarterback in this league, maybe a lot more.
Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
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