Aaron Rodgers is completely oblivious to stunting Jordan Love’s growth

Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was thrilled with Jordan Love’s performance against the Eagles, but doesn’t seem to understand he’s hurting the third-year player’s progression.

Aaron Rodgers will play next week against the Chicago Bears, despite some serious injuries to his abdominal region. Rodgers even suggested he had trouble breathing postgame, just before he was taken out in favor of Jordan Love, the former first-round pick out of Utah State.

Love has been patiently waiting for his opportunity, taking snaps every now and then in blowouts, and even starting a few games last season when Rodgers was out. Against the Eagles, however, he looked like a completely different player — working through his progressions and consistently making the right read. Packers fans saw it, and even Rodgers noticed.

“It was really nice to watch. I feel like an older brother watching him do well. I care about the kid a lot. Fun to see his growth, fun to see him just kind of relax out there,” Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show.

Aaron Rodgers supports Jordan Love, but is hurting Packers

Aaron Rodgers was being a good teammate by shouting out his backup and potential replacement someday down the line. It’s a feat Brett Favre could never accomplish, out of fear, jealousy or both.

But it’s Rodgers pride that could cost Jordan Love more reps, and therefore leave him less prepared when the day eventually comes that No. 12 isn’t with him as a security blanket.

Rodgers can play as long as he likes, and he’d prefer to do so as a member of the Green Bay Packers. But the day is coming — and it could be sooner than we expected given how Rodgers has looked this season — that the two sides aren’t on the same page. Could Green Bay want to move on from Rodgers as soon as this offseason, or will Rodgers retire with Love unprepared to take the reins?

Neither of those is a good option, and delaying Love’s development further by playing through pain in a season that’s already been determined as a failure is, in itself, a disappointment from a veteran QB who ought to know better.