Next Jordan Love decision should be obvious for the Packers

The Green Bay Packers have a looming decision on Jordan Love’s fifth-year option. Love’s rookie contract could be up as soon as next season.

By buying into that fifth-year option, Green Bay will ensure that Jordan Love’s contract will go beyond just next season. Prior to the 2022 campaign, however, it wasn’t clear what the Packers would do.

Aaron Rodgers has been such a stable force in Green Bay for the last decade-plus, but this season, he finally showed signs of his age. Rodgers is 39 years old, and who knows how much time he has left on the gridiron. Retirement could be right around the corner — and those are surely conversations Rodgers and the Packers will have in the months to come.

With that in mind, the decision on Love’s fifth-year option should be obvious. Brian Gutekunst and Co. shouldn’t even think about declining the fifth year, as Love has shown signs of improvement this season, and hinted that he could be the QB of the future if the Packers entrust him with such responsibility.

Packers can’t afford to decline Jordan Love’s option

Jordan Love was a risky first-round pick out of Utah State in 2020. At the time, Aaron Rodgers was still playing like an MVP-caliber quarterback, and he did not take kindly the the Packers selecting his heir-apparent, rather than surrounding him with more talent on the offensive side of the ball.

But with time, Rodgers has come to accept Love’s fate. It was the same acknowledgement his predecessor, Hall-of-Fame quarterback Brett Favre, sadly never achieved. Rodgers has instead been kind to Love, and perhaps even taught him a thing or two.

Even Rodgers has been impressed with Love’s play this season in limited playing time. Should Green Bay lose their ninth game of the season in the weeks to come and fall out of postseason contention, Rodgers even hinted that he’d be open to sitting in favor of getting Love some reps.

Assuming those reps are productive, the Packers should have all the evidence they need as to the future face of the franchise.