Cory's Corner: It's In Rodgers' Hands

The moment the Packers drafted Jordan Love, I thought about an alternative siutation. 

Everyone was busy devising up trade scenarios for Aaron Rodgers (which won't happen) and wondering when Love would take over as the starting quarterback. 

But on Friday during a conference call, Rodgers brought it up. 

"As much as I understand the organization's future outlook and wanting to make sure they're thinking about the team ow and down the line — and I respect that — at the same time, I still believe in myself and have a strong desire to play into my 40s," Rodgers said. "And I'm just not sure how that all works together at this point."

What happens if Rodgers plays out of his mind the next two years? Obviously you cannot give the starting reins to somebody else if Rodgers is still one of the top passers in the game. 

Now, many don't believe in Rodgers. They see his clavicle injury and his three concussions and people start to wonder about how much he has left. 

Remember, Rodgers is only entering his 13th season as a starter. He has passed for 4,000 yards the last two years and has only thrown a total of six picks. Every single team in the NFL would do anything for that type of production. Quarterback is the most important position in all of sports has become a tired phrase, but with today's rules that protect the passer and receiver, it really rings true. 

Obviously, things change if Rodgers gets another serious injury and opts to retire in two years. 

"I think what it does is just reinforce kind of the adage that you can only control what you can control," he said. "It's always been a mantra for myself, but I think any great athlete there's things that are just out of our control. That obviously is something that's very important to me, but I think is definitely telling at this point that is truly something that's out of my control. What I can control is how I play and making that decision at some point a very hard one. You know, if I were to retire in the organization's timetable, then it's an easy decision. But if there comes a time where I feel like I can still play at a high level and my body feels great, you know, then there's other guys that have gone on and played elsewhere."

The thought of Rodgers turning into another Joe Montana, Brett Favre, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers is very strange. And that's why I foresee Rodgers to retire as a Packers quarterback. 

That may not make any sense because the Packers traded up to get Love. But Love right now is just insurance. He is going to scratch and claw to be the No. 3 quarterback this year with all of the lost practice time.

Rodgers is a professional athlete. He will use anything to motivate himself — even though he is currently one of the best passers in the league.

Which is also something that cannot be forgotten. Love could come to camp, see Rodgers throwing bullseyes to guys like Jake Kumerow and instantly know that he may never get a shot in Green Bay. 

The Packers drafted Love No. 26. It happened. Rodgers — like everyone else — was surprised. That doesn't mean that the Packers are locked in to Love as the future starting quarterback. It just means that general manager Brian Gutekunst doubled his insurance premium. 

Rodgers wants to play into his 40s. As long as he gets the ball out quick and doesn't take too many hits, I don't see why that cannot happen.

I wouldn't say he's mad, but let's just say that his motvational fires haven't gone out either. 

 

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__________________________

Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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10 points
 

Comments (51)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Bure9620's picture

May 16, 2020 at 06:42 am

Yes this is all correct, it is in Rodgers hands. If he plays at a very high level, maybe wins a SB then he plays. No question and I expect him to play well this season.

However, the drafting of Jordan Love is about the future, and it is clear the "future" is more near than many want to admit. Aaron Rodgers is still a great QB but not close to what he was. We will never see 2011 or 2014 Aaron Rodgers again, ever, nor should we expect to as that player was otherworldly, better than what we see from Mahomes or Wilson now. Therefore, by definition, Rodgers play has declined. Aaron Rodgers is nearly 37, and has a history of major injury. In addition, he does not play the game in a way in which is conducive to playing into his 40s. Brees and Brady play from the pocket and get rid of the ball very quickly. Rodgers holds the ball, scambles, takes more hits and has been injured doing so. Gute knows this style of play cannot continue and prepared for its end. To play into his 40s, Rodgers would need to change the way he plays. He will need to be a pocket QB, a distributor, which he can be. We have seen him torch defenses from the pocket. A QB, any QB, running and extending plays in their late 30s is a recipe for injury. In fact, it is more likely Jordan Love sees the field in the next 2 years at some point due to Rodgers being injured than it is Rodgers playing every snap in 32 plus games. If Rodgers plays within the confines of the scripted offense he can be great and great for a long time still. If not, the future becomes the near future.

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splitpea1's picture

May 16, 2020 at 10:53 am

What a great comment. "To play into his 40's....he will need to be a pocket QB, a distributor...torch defenses from the pocket." We're still waiting to see this transition--it sounds great in theory, but can he resist the temptation to hold the ball, scramble, etc., once he gets on the field?

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dblbogey's picture

May 16, 2020 at 02:56 pm

One point overlooked in acquiring Love, is we have a talented back up QB for the first time in years. Before, when Aaron got injured, our season was over. Now, maybe it won't be.

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Lphill's picture

May 16, 2020 at 05:46 pm

A talented backup that never touched an NFL field.

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Bearmeat's picture

May 16, 2020 at 07:17 am

Corey. Stop.

If Jordan Love shows he can play, and probably even if he is anything other than an unmitigated disaster, Aaron Rodgers won't be the Packers QB in 2024, probably not in 2023 and maybe not in 2022 or even 2021. What's paining all of us is that we are having to look at the end of ARod's tenure here with only 1 super bowl - soon.

I hope they win one this year or next.

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Guam's picture

May 16, 2020 at 07:27 am

I tend to think you are right Bearmeat, but it is worth noting that the NE Patriots spent a #2 on Jimmy G. as Brady's replacement only to trade him to SF when it became apparent Brady was still playing at a very high level. The odds lean toward Rodgers finishing his career elsewhere, but it is a legitimate possibility that the Packers also just trade Love for a draft choice if Rodgers is playing well.

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Bearmeat's picture

May 16, 2020 at 07:31 am

I don't think there's any way that happens in Green Bay. Kraft essentially told Belichick to pick Brady. Belichick wanted to send Brady to San Fran - not Grop. In GB, there's no sentimental owner, and there's no way that Murphy would lean on Gute that hard. Gute would pick the young guy.

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murf7777's picture

May 16, 2020 at 08:34 am

Bearmeat, those are pretty strong assumptions. The reality is nobody knows how this will turn out. If we could predict the future none of us would’ve had to work for our money. Is it more likely he moves on? yes, the odds are that will happen. The odds are probably not as great as some project and the example of Brady making it past Grapollo is a perfect example, although, now Brady is in Tampa so it waters down that point.

What if both are playing great over the next two years? IE: Rodgers wins a SB and Love looks outstanding in practice and preseason and or comes in for a stretch of games because of an injury to Rodgers and plays great. Now A QB needy team that will have a top 5 pick in the following years draft wants to trade that 1st round pick to GB for Love, might the Packers take that pick? That team might even throw in a high 3 or 4th round to sweeten the deal. Weirder things have happened over the years. Having too many prospects at the most important position is a good problem to have! Let’s enjoy the ride and not try to pin this down to a timetable as we Just don’t know.

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Bearmeat's picture

May 16, 2020 at 08:48 am

If both players look great, then you trade Rodgers for as much value as you can get and go with the young guy.

And it is a fact that Kraft told BB to pick Brady over Grop. Brady went to Kraft before that trade went down and demanded that Grop be traded. That ESPN Wickersham piece has been confirmed post-mortem by Pats players and former personnel/coaches.

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murf7777's picture

May 16, 2020 at 08:58 am

Bearmeat, there would be an argument that just because Love looks great doesn’t mean he will be and if Rodgers wins you a SB, or gets you there at age 38 or 39 and still showing he can play into his 40,s I’d trade Love and draft another, especially, if you could get a high 1st rounder+. There are many examples of back up looking great and getting big contracts from another team and failing to lead after that time.

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Bearmeat's picture

May 16, 2020 at 10:24 am

That's fair. But it's a personal preference thing. If Love looks good and ARod is 40, I'd take the young guy and the fan rage every time. Just me though.

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Tundraboy's picture

May 16, 2020 at 10:08 pm

Exactly Murf. There is no way for anyone to be sure. And the past with other teams means nothing. Besides what's the point. Enjoy today

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Guam's picture

May 16, 2020 at 04:41 pm

Depends on the situation Bearmeat. If Gute could trade Love for a high draft choice and get another replacement QB that was younger and had as much potential as Love, why wouldn't he do that and keep Rodgers for another 2-3 years (assuming Rodgers is playing well)? Again I agree that the likelihood is that Rodgers finishes his career elsewhere, but I wouldn't rule out other scenarios at this point.

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Leatherhead's picture

May 16, 2020 at 07:58 am

The plan is to move on from Rodgersin two years.

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HankScorpio's picture

May 16, 2020 at 09:32 am

The NFL is week to week. Whatever 2 year plan might be dreamed up is written in pencil and subject to change.

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murf7777's picture

May 16, 2020 at 09:42 am

As is life in general!

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PeteK's picture

May 16, 2020 at 09:58 am

Yes, but if all things are equal , Love should get the nod because of the large cap savings which can be used to sustain more years in contention of a SB.

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HankScorpio's picture

May 16, 2020 at 11:01 am

Cap is always a factor for individual positions, for sure. Don't count on that helping the team that much. Using that advantage requires a team that is pre-built for the rook, he gets on the field quickly and there is nothing huge to clear with the vet he replaces.

I seriously doubt Love is the starter in 2021. So that wipes out half the "cheap QB" window with him on the bench. At least. Then there is the dead money that will exist if they transition while Love is still a cheap QB.

So cap may factor into when they clear the books of Rodgers. But the team will have a big money cap hit for QB until it comes time to pay Love or let him go.

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wildbill's picture

May 16, 2020 at 06:40 pm

Just stop it. You throwing logic into the fray will just ruin everything

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Leatherhead's picture

May 17, 2020 at 08:43 pm

I don’t think Half-billion dollar organizations write their business plans in pencil.

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Johnblood27's picture

May 16, 2020 at 09:50 am

There is a realistic window from a business perspective in two years.

That is not a "plan".

Please either tell us that you are a GBP BOD member with access o the inner workings of MM, BG and MLF minds or think about how you present you thoughts in print a bit more.

I enjoy your posts, but statements like the one above cheapen your brand.

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Turophile's picture

May 16, 2020 at 02:37 pm

@Leatherhead That seems the most likely scenario that makes some cap sense.

Rodgers starts for the next 2 years while Love learns and gets better. Then if Love has the talent to be the next QB1, Rodgers is traded or released.

If, on the other hand, Love is a bust, then the Packers try again for the QB of the future. That might mean Rodgers staying through 2022 to give the new pick a year to bed in.

So why six downvotes for Leatherhead's comments ? What he says is both logical and likely.

@johnblood27 - I'd say what Leatherhead suggests IS a plan. It won't be the only plan though, just one projection. Once you understand that the Packers drafted Love to be a future QB1, the rest falls into place. You don't need to be on the BOD to see that.

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fordguy's picture

May 16, 2020 at 05:10 pm

If it is Gutes plan then it makes zero sense. When asked Gute said it's a reload not a rebuild. I don't understand why you spend all of the cap space that he did last year as a reload move only to spend your 1st and 4th on a QB looks like a rebuild this year.

He knew how old the RT was, let him walk and got a bandaid for this year.
The LT is in the same position as in age and lack of available cap space next year
King, Clarke and Jones ( I know Linsley will be out) are all up to get paid and there isn't enough for everyone. Yes I know Dillon could replace Jones.

Rodgers says he plans on playing into his forties. His current contract takes him to forty.
If you're saying it's a reload and not a rebuild then the path we're doesn't add up.

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Turophile's picture

May 17, 2020 at 06:33 am

I wouldn't worry about labels. Reload, Rebuild, complete tear-down, they are subjective things that mean quite different things to different people.

Gutekunst doesn't operate along a single axis, what he does is more complex. Therefore he can fix weaknesses with a big spend one year (as he did in 2019) and then he goes and drafts first rounders like Gary and Love, which are clearly picks that are more for the future than for immediate impact.

Gute plans both for the now AND for the future, not one thing or the other exclusively. This means his choices are a balancing act - THIS is for instant impact, THAT is for a bigger payoff in the future. His plan (in taking Love) makes perfect sense from a future perspective. He is planning for the future, giving the team two years of AR starting (2020, 2021) while Love learns behind him. If Love improves to be a viable QB1 then Rodgers probably is traded, released (or retires) giving the Packers a big cap relief. If Love fails, then in 2022 I expect the Packers to spend another high draft pick on QB. Given the failure rate of even first round QBs, that is very possible, but given the importance of a good QB, you have to try for one.

The Packers (in the last 30 years) have not been a boom/bust team, one that needs to tear things down and rebuild from scratch, they have been a team that tries to be competitive every year, with an emphasis put on continuity over many years. So if I had to put a label on how the team operates, I wouldn't talk about reload or rebuild, CONTINUITY is how I'd describe the Packers philosophy.

One last thought. If Rodgers plays well in the next two years, it is possible that Love, even if he develops well, might be the one to be moved on in 2022, not Rodgers. That is, after all, what happened with the Patriots and Brady/Garoppolo. Sure the Packers would have to be searching for their future starter again, but even so, you cannot completely discount it.

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Lare's picture

May 16, 2020 at 08:04 am

IMO, this is not in Rodgers hands at all. There is no way Gutekunst will let Rodgers play out his contract, that would mean Rodgers could go anywhere he wants and the Packers would get nothing in return.

As Leatherhead mentions, Rodgers will get traded within two years. Gutekunst gets his guy (Love), he gets players/draft picks, they get salary cap relief. The question is if they get a winning QB?

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Johnblood27's picture

May 16, 2020 at 10:07 am

Lare, you have hit the nail on the head.

You have formulated the question with the vaguest answer.

Can Jordan Love play QB in the NFL?

He hasn't exactly tore up the NCAA at a mid-major level.

He looks pretty to some scouts. He has arm strength and ball skills and athleticism.

If that is all it takes, there would be far less risk in drafting QB's and many more teams would have "The Man".

That isnt reality and the probability is that Love is NOT an HOF calibre QB.

Thats just the odds, not a prediction or a fact.

If you break down the equation into its component parts and assign realistic odds to each, how about there few examples.

Jordan Love is a real player - odds long, draft is filled with QB who pan out average or less in spite of great measurables. There are NO guarantees at all in this regard.

Rodgers play falls off a cliff - not probable, his performance history provides confidence and if his play does falter, his pride would likely move him to leave-retire and the poor play that precipitated that decision would net game losses and a high pick in the draft to take yet another chance on drafting a suitable successor.
\
Rodgers play remains at a high level and brings success to the franchise in the form of victories in regular season and playoff games. Losing the last game of the year is not always the fault of a QB, his play would have to be evaluated within a team context and not be based on SB victories alone.

BG just wants the cap money. Middling odds, he is a GM and his moves are restricted by budgetary concerns. Rodgers does tie up a lot of money, however if he is playing well, the money is justified. This would be a PR nightmare, BG cannot just jetison AR for $$$ and expect no backlash. Fans don't root for the GBP because the team is in good cap and financial condition.

BG needs to massage his ego by having "his" QB draftee starting for the GBP. This would be the most colossal blunder of all and would be a terrible gamble/risk. If BG leans toward a Love must play position with no real proof that he is capable of doing a better job than AR as QB for the GBP, he should be fired immediately. No room for completely ego driven decision making in the position he holds.

Any more that you would like to add and outline?

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Amy Berk's picture

May 16, 2020 at 08:34 am

Rodgers gets traded elsewhere and wins another Superbowl with another team because they give him the players he needs to win.... I really don't want that to happen...ugh
.

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murf7777's picture

May 16, 2020 at 08:38 am

Amy, if that happens it probably won’t be because Rodgers has better weapons. I would argue a top 5 D would be more important to his success then better weapons to win another SB. Also, football unlike NBA, is more of a team sport and it takes all 53 to have that special season.

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dobber's picture

May 16, 2020 at 08:58 am

Good for him. If it propels the Packers to another 6-8 years of SB relevance, then I'm all for it.

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jannes bjornson's picture

May 16, 2020 at 01:40 pm

Did not happen for Montana, Favre, Johnny U; see if Brady is the magic bullet for Tampa? Doubt it.

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stockholder's picture

May 16, 2020 at 02:21 pm

I don't - I say Brady is exactly what Tampa Bay needs. Bucs will make the playoffs.

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Bure9620's picture

May 17, 2020 at 09:49 am

Brady looked very old last year.......I was not shocked Belichick wanted to move on. Not sure he is the answer in Tampa

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fordguy's picture

May 16, 2020 at 05:25 pm

You didn't say Manning. He left and got a ring and the Colts went for the young guy who is out of football now with no rings.

2 points
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dobber's picture

May 16, 2020 at 05:32 pm

Agreed. Brady is a poor fit for the offense they run in Tampa. He was a shadow of himself in NE last season. He looked old.

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HankScorpio's picture

May 16, 2020 at 10:09 am

I hope the Packers management is taking one step at a time, just like they did last time. Hindsight is pretty clear that they were correct in transitioning to Rodgers by following the progression.

Step 1 is drafting a guy they think can play. Complete. They obviously believe in Love enough to give up an extra pick that holds a fairly high hit rate on top of their 1st rounder.

Step 2 is Love being close to Rodgers or even better than Rodgers. How Rodgers plays should have as much impact as how Love plays.

There is a lot of unknown between step 1 and step 2. That needs to become known before they take that 2nd step.

3 points
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dobber's picture

May 16, 2020 at 12:41 pm

"Step 2 is Love being close to Rodgers or even better than Rodgers. How Rodgers plays should have as much impact as how Love plays."

In part, yes. Part of that decision will hinge on whether the team is successful with ARod at the time. If they aren't a contender even with ARod, it will be time to tear it down...and #12 might be able to help that with trade compensation and cap relief. Where Love is in his game play now isn't really material to that. It's where he is and where ARod is two to three years down the line.

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slupoman's picture

May 16, 2020 at 06:50 pm

Have you been drinking?

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PDX_Packfan's picture

May 16, 2020 at 10:26 am

Why are so many people struggling with this issue? Just because receiver X wasn't drafted, because Kiper said he was good, no Super Bowl for us!? Any decent organization has a succession plan. Rodgers for 3 more years and a high ceiling project to learn under one of the greatest intellects playing QB maybe ever.

The offense is changing and that's a good thing.

4 points
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Since'61's picture

May 16, 2020 at 11:23 am

At some point, probably early in this offseason, Gute decided to ask what will/should this team look like in 2 - 3 seasons. This is a common business/management approach in most industries and I facilitated hundreds of these exercises in my career.

There are numerous answers to Gute’s question. Clearly the choice he decided upon is a younger, run first team, with at least a solid defense and a ball/clock control offense. Next step is to look and what you have now and what you need to reach the future state of the team and draft accordingly.

Apparently this is the approach that Gute has chosen. If he decided to win the SB during the next 2 seasons he would have drafted to achieve that goal. That is not saying that the Packers cannot win the SB in 2020 or 21 but for that to happen many things will need to break the Packers way, at least for 2020. No injuries, numerous younger players making significant leaps in their development, the right side of the OL holding up, and the run defense improving significantly with many of the same front 7.

So where does this leave Rodgers? It leaves him with a 2 year window to win another SB Thanks in Green Bay. After that he is likely a cap casualty via trade or release. Rodgers playing well over the next 2 seasons may not matter if Love develops as expected/hoped. However, an SB victory could make a difference especially in 2021. How do you move on from an SB Winning QB who is still playing well? Although stranger things have happened.

Ultimately it is out of Rodgers hands regardless of how well he plays. If Gute wants to move on from Rodger’s he will. At that point it’s all on Gute for better or worse. Thanks, Since ‘61

5 points
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Alberta_Packer's picture

May 16, 2020 at 10:59 am

I think we can all R-E-L-A-X about Rodgers for at least the next 2 years. First, his contract during this time makes him untradeable. Secondly, it will require this amount of time to assess if Love can be an NFL caliber quarterback - let alone a successor to Rodgers. Afterwards who knows? Who among us could have predicted that we would have been in the midst of a global pandemic 6 months ago? In the meantime, I am going to enjoy the next 2 years (or any version of it) to see how Rodgers evolves (or not) with LaFleur's offence.

7 points
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fordguy's picture

May 16, 2020 at 05:54 pm

So you're saying the few remaining years of Rodgers playing, to keep spending all of the draft picks so Rodgers can teach a QB how to play? To keep drafting QB's until we get one that can maybe develop instead of drafting to win now?

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Alberta_Packer's picture

May 16, 2020 at 07:06 pm

Who are you replying to? If me, please read my comments thoroughly before you register a reply.

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fordguy's picture

May 16, 2020 at 07:43 pm

What part of you saying "relax" then, "Secondly, it will require this amount of time to assess if Love can be an NFL caliber quarterback - let alone a successor to Rodgers. Afterwards who knows?" doesn't make sense? You said "assess in two years and afterwards who knows".

Most people would take that as,"in 2 years after our assessment if Loves not any good we'll have to draft another one if he sucks".

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flackcatcher's picture

May 16, 2020 at 07:25 pm

Well, Packers will always draft a QB for value. That just how they roll. Did under Wolf and Thompson. So expect Gute to sign and draft more QB in future drafts. It's the Packer Way...

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NoNonsense's picture

May 16, 2020 at 05:17 pm

I'm just gonna watch and enjoy the show. I look forward to watching Love progress as a QB and watching Rodgers play for as long as hes here. Simple as that.

I dont look forward to the day Rodgers leaves or retires but I will be really happy if Love turns into the next great QB in GB. Only time will tell that tale, stay tuned.

5 points
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buddrow53's picture

May 16, 2020 at 05:35 pm

65% of the roster comes from the 4-7 draft slots and udfa. Imo we will be a better deeper team by the second half of the regular season.

I really like what I have read about the talent and effort that these newbies will bring.

Good athletes that are good football players are hard to beat. If the coaches do their jobs and devastating injuries are minimal it good be a fun year!!!!

GO PACK GO

3 points
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Lphill's picture

May 16, 2020 at 05:50 pm

Rodgers should find a way out of Green Bay the sooner for him the better , he won’t get anymore weapons and a championship caliber defense.

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Leatherhead's picture

May 17, 2020 at 08:38 pm

Weapons. For some people, virtually anything can be used as a weapon. A pencil, a rock, a stick. But you’re asking me to believe that Rodgers needs extra special weapons. Why?

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Packers0808's picture

May 16, 2020 at 05:54 pm

Anyone ever think Love could be a bust, it happens more than not! There it has been said, lots of conjecture on Rodgers, why not some on Love!?

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fthisJack's picture

May 17, 2020 at 08:44 am

I hope for Rodgers sake they trade him cause he ain't winning another SB in GB. And if they do trade him, I would be rooting for him to get another SB win. What they did in this draft is throw away any chance at a SB in the short term. They were on the doorstep and needed to give Rodgers the weapons he needs and bulk up the middle of the D. Instead they did a 180 and are putting all their chips in on a running game and controlling the football. Good luck with this transition to Titan football. When was the last time they were in the SB?

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Leatherhead's picture

May 18, 2020 at 10:03 am

Why does Rodgers need special weapons? He already has a top receiver and a top running back....how much more? Does he need better weapons than Trubisky?

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