Cory's Corner: The Packers Need Jordan Love Magic
We are waiting to see the second-year starter's cape this season.
We just haven’t seen it this year.
Last year, we witnessed the Jordan Love magic. He threw for 4,624 yards with 37 touchdowns. With three less games this year, he has thrown for 3,320 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Last year, Love was able to drop the ball perfectly from a hot air balloon. According to Pro Football Focus, he made 37 Big Time Throws — a ball thrown into a tight window with great timing. This year, Love has 16.
What was especially eye opening was how he handled pressure. Against the Vikings, he was given an average of 2.71 seconds to throw and he was still 3-for-8 for just 37 yards when under pressure. What’s even more disconcerting is that Love is making unnecessary deep throws — especially on third down.
The answer is right underneath him. Love has to start running it. If teams are going to keep pressuring Love, he needs to get out of the pocket quickly and make the defense pay. After a few third down scrambles, the defense will be honest and he will have more time to carve up the secondary.
And speaking of secondary, the Packers will need Love even more as the Packers enter the playoffs. Green Bay’s secondary will be without its top corner Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes has been barely average in coverage and Keisean Nixon and Javon Bullard are giving up NFL passer ratings of 100.9 and 123.4.
No matter if the Packers go to Los Angeles to face the Rams as the No. 6 seed or go to Philadelphia to face the Eagles as the No. 7 seed, the Packers will need more Love magic. He will get about four throws that he has to make. He cannot airmail the receiver, step up into the waiting arms of a blitz or throw a deep 50-50 ball at a poor time.
I don’t think this is Love’s ceiling. He proved last year that he can make just about any off-platform throw. He carved up plenty of pressure last year, which is why the Packers awarded him with a four-year, $220 million contract right before the start of this season.
There is a lot to like with Love. And what I like most out of Love has nothing to do with his work inside the white lines. He’s the leader this team has desperately needed after living through the soap opera of Aaron Rodgers. And seeing how things have gone in New York, we should all realize how difficult Rodgers can be.
The Packers have a battering ram at running back, but Josh Jacobs will not lead Green Bay to a road playoff win. That person is Love. There was a reason the Packers moved up from No. 30 to No. 26 in the 2020 NFL Draft. They saw a dynamic passer from a small school that had a huge chip on his shoulder.
After sitting out for three seasons — including not even suiting up for his rookie year — he finally got the chance to prove himself. It takes a special person in this day and age to continually put team over self. Love always passed that test in interviews and not surprisingly, it didn’t take long for him to win the locker room over.
Now that locker room wants to see Love put on his cape and get a playoff win.
The dress rehearsal is Sunday vs. Chicago. The Bears could care less about freezing their backsides off in a game that doesn’t matter. The Bears are not even close to average but Love needs to show some sparks.
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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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Comments (30)
stockholder
January 04, 2025 at 07:34 am
Truthfully I think your bullying people.
The Bears still suck.
So why keep pushing Love.
The constant reminder of how Gute
is such a great GM for getting rid of Rodgers.
Is just a snow storm.
A higher the top, the further the drop.
Just shows how much the NFL changes year to year.
Everyone has caught the Packers.
And there is only one person to blame.
A team is so much more than the QB.
I doubt Gute and others realize the shift in power.
We need more than a QB to stand out.
LLCHESTY
January 04, 2025 at 07:56 am
Your gobbledygook game is on point today. Faulkner would be almost proud of this word salad nonsense. Does the Doc know you're self medicating again?
dobber
January 04, 2025 at 08:30 am
I'm hoping for word croutons next time.
dobber
January 04, 2025 at 08:35 am
"Everyone has caught the Packers."
Sorry, but this team marched backward for a playoff-less season as things crumbled around the feet of the team...a big step back from a series of consecutive 13-win regular seasons. They turned a retool/rebuild around quickly and went from 8-9 to 9-8 and double-digit wins this season. The dumbassery in desperately trying to drive the narrative of Gutey-hate is never-ending.
pantz_bURp
January 04, 2025 at 08:14 am
Let's give this one to da Bears. We need to make up for Martin's Hit List.
And for this coming game (and only this coming game), letz borrow Walter's nickname and apply it to #10 who will be Sweetness. You see, #10 is going to play really well. And then #2 will come in and make us proud some more.
You can't expect #10 to see every open WR when he is dodging defenders. And like my Momma told me a while ago when I asked her who I should ask to prom. Gal #1 or Gal #2. She said, you decide but remember "sometimes Love is blind".
Oh, I asked both of them to the prom and they were delighted...as well as I.
XXXOOOs,
Pantz "over alls, choose kindness" Burp
PS's of all PSs: I want Love to be just Love. He doesn't need to be magic. Magic is fake and is the illusion of complexity. We already enjoyed our Majik, one Donald "Majik" Vincent Majkowski.
dobber
January 04, 2025 at 08:28 am
"The Packers Need Jordan Love Magic"
The Packers need more consistent play on both sides of the ball. Some of that is Jordan Love, but a lot of it is catching the ball better, blocking and sustaining blocks, defenders getting off blocks and making sure tackles, coverage...we can keep going, but there's a lot more to this than Jordan Love being a hero. If any team is playing well, it should have plenty of guys rising to the occasion but nobody needing to be the hero.
"Love has to start running it. ... After a few third down scrambles, the defense will be honest and he will have more time to carve up the secondary. "
No they won't. The book on Love is that if you pressure him, his accuracy drops and he makes some scary decisions with the football. Opponents have been trying to bring pressure against him regularly. It won't stop just because he snaps off a couple runs.
"After sitting out for three seasons .."
Lousy and lazy word choices, Corey...in this whole piece. You're in rare form today. This is all over the place.
"The dress rehearsal is Sunday vs. Chicago."
For "being the hero?" No thanks. I want Sunday to be a methodical, injury-free beat-down, where the Packers don't need to put unscouted looks on film. I don't really care how the Packers score their points. Put Chicago away and let the reserves own the second half.
Oppy
January 04, 2025 at 08:37 am
The book on love in 2023 was blitz him at your peril because he’d make you pay for it. Early in 2024 teams found success blitzing a hobbled Love who did not have the legs to evade the rush or to make his typically off-platform throws under pressure.
Jordan love is amongst league leaders vs. blitz in most critical passing statistic since returning (fully healthy) from the bye. He’s 72% , 7 TDs 0 ints.
The book on love right now is “oh, he’s healthy again. Maybe we don’t want blitz him.”
Oppy
January 04, 2025 at 08:41 am
For what it’s worth, while I don’t think it is a necessity, I do agree with Cory that Love could stand to pull it down and run it a bit more in certain situations.
However.. I’d rather have a QB who holds it looking for the pass or throws it away, than the QB who tucks it and runs the second he see the opportunity.. because passes down field are generally far bigger gains than QB scrambled, and running QBs tend to get injured.
Guam
January 04, 2025 at 08:43 am
Well said Dobber.
Teams that rely on heroes lose when the hero has an off day. Teams that play complete team ball don't need a hero, they just need to play their game. Besides the players doing their jobs, LaFleur needs to do his and be better with in-game adjustments against good defenses and DCs.
Leatherhead
January 04, 2025 at 09:48 am
I think if Love breaks off a couple of runs early it'll slow down the pass rush.
We don't need any Hero Ball from Love. Protect the ball and run the offense, let other guys be the hero.
dobber
January 04, 2025 at 10:54 am
I still think you're going to see teams pressure Love with their base packages and play coverage behind it. Pressure doesn't necessarily mean blitz. As we get into the playoffs, teams like Philly have the ability to dominate the inside gaps with their IDL and make it hard on the Packers.
Since'61
January 04, 2025 at 08:32 am
During the second Half of the 2023 season Love was the difference for the Packers. That has not been the case for 2024. He has not tilted the field in Green Bay's favor. That needs to change as the Packers go into the playoffs or it will be a short post season run for Green Bay.
The Packers have leaned heavily on Jacobs this season because he is a beast at RB. But our playoff opponents will be prepared for him.
I'm not sure if it's all on Love. I think it is a combination of MLF's game plans, receiver drops and Love's accuracy. Love's accuracy needs to improve during the playoffs. Also he needs to take advantage of his opportunities to run with the ball when those chances develop.
Bottom line is that the time has arrived for Love to step up his level of play. He is overdue to show the growth and development that was expected/hoped for from him this season. Thanks, Since '61
dobber
January 04, 2025 at 08:40 am
"The Packers have leaned heavily on Jacobs this season because he is a beast at RB. But our playoff opponents will be prepared for him."
The Packers will see teams better equipped to handle Jacobs, but the offense is geared around downfield passing off teams trying to stop Jacobs. The Vikings were happy to have the Packers run the ball, then get after Love and force passing short of the sticks when the Packers took a penalty or had a short run or two that forced passing situations on third down. The Packers need to make sure they have a field-stretching option (or a plan to threaten teams deep) if Watson continues to be unavailable or teams will crowd the short and intermediate zones and the Packers will struggle to move the ball.
Since'61
January 04, 2025 at 10:04 am
I agree Dobber. I think that the Packers can use Musgrave down the seem and Bo Melton as field stretching options. They should also get Kraft and Jacobs more involved in the passing game.
Bottom line is that you are correct as usual teams will crowd the short and intermediate zones and force the Packers into 3rd and long. If that happens it will be another long day for the Packers offense. Thanks, Since '61
jont
January 04, 2025 at 09:21 am
Yes, the Packers need Love to up his game. All play-off teams need excellent QB play, the winner almost always has near flawless QB play.
The Packers also need more pass pressure, particularly when the bad guys need to throw, and tighter man-to-man coverage. They need better pass coverage in the middle of the field generally. They also need Musgrave to get out there and be a receiving threat and no drops from the WRs to deliver a few more first downs.
These things, it seems to me, are needed to take a pretty good play-off team deep into the play-offs.
Coldworld
January 04, 2025 at 10:11 am
What 2 things have brought us down this season once Love returned to near full health and mobility ? OL and DL. If we protect the pocket better then he is likely to perform better. If we can get to the passer with 4 rushers then we will give up less points and likely give the O more opportunities. Simplistic, but the areas that we need to step up most are not QB. However, if they do, it’s likely that he does.
Aside from that, the aspect that we need a dramatic improvement in is LaFleur. We need to win game planning, with the scripted plays, discipline and in game adjustments. We are 0 for 5 on those in games against teams we are going to have to get past.
bjkdad44
January 05, 2025 at 07:52 am
Bingo on LaFlower
NFLfan
January 04, 2025 at 09:22 am
The Packers have historically (Favre/Rodgers era) over-relied on their QB's and a couple of magical receivers to save the day. An over-reliance on 'points on the board', 'carrying the team', while the Defense has under-performed. Love is not responsible for hit or miss protection, questionable play-calling, weak Pass Rush,
depleted secondary room, etc. His receivers are also not on the level of a Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Donald Driver ...so I would like to see a strengthening of protection, play-calling, Pass Rush, Receiver play, Corner Room before Jordan Love is called out. He is a good guy, he cares, he got injured in Brazil because he was wearing the 'cape'.
This is a team and they should not be relying on a hero.
Perhaps the Pass Rush could do their jobs-that is the REAL problem.
From the toilet
January 04, 2025 at 03:57 pm
Totally agree the Packers ‘depth’ at WR has been overstated for far too long. These guys are a bunch of 3s on great teams.
Love is far too inaccurate far too often. Especially down field. Started to see it more in the 10 yard range throws now too.
Pass rush is the most deficient area. It’s killing them. Defense cannot get off the field. LVN looks overmatched in the NFL.
LambeauPlain
January 04, 2025 at 10:10 am
"Last year, we witnessed the Jordan Love magic. He threw for 4,624 yards with 37 touchdowns. With three less games this year, he has thrown for 3,320 yards and 25 touchdowns."
Cory's narrative for this article...No Magic Man seen this year in Green Bay!
If you take average per game pass yards over 14 games this season and apply it to a 17 games played season he would have 4,031 yards...a loss in MAGIC YARDS of a whopping 13%! Coming off a knee injury. With a far more potent ground attack that struggled last year. You think the potent run game has something to do with fewer pass yards this year vs last?
Do the same for his TDs and 2024 regular season would be 29 TDs...down 22% from 2023. Yet the Packers have already rushed for TWICE as many TDs this year as last year. Why pass at the goal line when you have Jacobs get the TD?
Last year's MAGIC MAN led the team to 42 TDs for the season. This year, so far, they already have 49 TDs. Loss of magic in TDs? No.
Lastly, does Cory think the drops this season has impacted any magic tricks? Eliminate just half the drops and this narrative is hilarious.
Never let facts and data get in the way of a good narrative.
dobber
January 04, 2025 at 10:49 am
To emphasize your point: this team has evolved. The bottom line is that the identity of this team in 2024 is running the football. They're about even with TB as the most prolific running teams in the NFL without a running QB (although Baker Mayfield has out rushed Love by a couple hundred yards).
I'd like to see more play action, esp. on early downs, to try to take advantage of defenses attacking the LOS.
harleycops
January 04, 2025 at 10:39 am
What we really need is for LaFleuzy to call a game that wins. That debacle in MN was a terrible coaching job. Sure we came back from a serious deficit. But the play calls were atrocious and the results were worse. How the heck you go for a FG in your opponent's yard and then go for 1st down on a 4th & 4 call when 3 more points puts the pressure on. How do we drop so many balls by either not catching them or fumbling them away in the 17th game of the year? How do we have so many self-destructing penalties such as encroachment in the neutral zone again and again and again? Does LF every get in his players' faces and barks to demand some accountability? We should've won that Viqueens game and the 6th seed (or better) may have been our reward. We'll see what kind of game LF calls against da'Bears!
dobber
January 04, 2025 at 10:52 am
"What we really need is for LaFleuzy to call a game that wins....How do we drop so many balls by either not catching them or fumbling them away in the 17th game of the year?"
<<Matt Lafleur scribbling on note pad>> mental note:...take...fumbles...and....drops...out...of...game...plan.
PackerBackerAZ
January 04, 2025 at 11:18 am
That sit in during training camp showed me just how Love put the team first.
cdoemel
January 04, 2025 at 02:46 pm
OMG. SMDH. The lengths some people go to find something to bitch about is amazing. So nothing he’s done since then has erased that mortal sin? Coming back and playing hurt maybe? I’m sure he did that just so you WOULDN’T bitch about him missing a couple days of training camp. He underestimated your resolve in being a hater.
GregC
January 04, 2025 at 12:20 pm
Actually Love was on a really good roll before the Minnesota game--or, to be more precise, the second half of the New Orleans game, although that game had already been put away before Love faltered. I'm less worried about Love than about the rest of the team. With decent protection and receivers getting open, I'm sure he would have looked much better against the Vikings.
Packerpasty
January 04, 2025 at 12:29 pm
I wouldn't put it all on Love to win games...I dont think he can carry this team like an Allen or Burrows or a couple of others...all aspects of the game have to be at a higher level..putting pressure on the QB, stop with the crucial drops, and for sure MLF and the coaching has to step it up...no more head scratching decisions by MLF at this juncture of the year...he's had enough already..
White92
January 04, 2025 at 02:15 pm
I was stunned to hear that the Packers were slow to adjust to man coverage. I hope it is different next time with Love scrambling more. We'll see.
the_gavia_pass
January 05, 2025 at 11:15 am
the green bay packers are a SOFT organization. everybody know that in the nfl.
murphy is soft. the board is soft.
and also gute got soft.
a real genius GM would have traded love last year during the contract renewal problems.
you could get 2-3 first round pick and sent out basically a back up QB.
that was genius.
but they panicked, because murphy panicked. why? because they are terrorized to lose money, they do not care about SB they just want not to lose money. so it is better to run a back up QB in a good system and go in the post season, they do not care about a fast exit. losing seasons are the problem for them because they risk to lose money.
SinceLombardi
January 05, 2025 at 04:48 pm
It would be magical if Love could just complete a 10 yard pass. He throws one hoppers , behind the receiver, and over their heads. It’s like he’s got a big bag of money in front of his eyes and he can’t see what he’s doing.
He’s a good quarterback, clearly not in the same rarified air as our last two. He Lynn Dickey with weaker receivers, but a better running game.