Jordan Love Finally Addresses Current Relationship with Aaron Rodgers

Jordan Love has replaced Aaron Rodgers as the Green Bay Packers starting quarterback after three seasons of waiting after the Packers traded Rodgers to the New York Jets. “I feel more hungry than ever,” Love recently told Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated.

“Honestly, having that time to wait, the waiting just makes [me] more and more hungry for when you finally get out there.” Green Bay invested a first-round draft selection on Love in 2020, then buried him under Rodgers on the depth chart for the most of Love’s first three NFL seasons.

Love’s future with the Packers was made even more uncertain when Rodgers signed a big contract extension after the 2021 season, but that pact only prolonged the Hall of Famer’s association with the team for another season.

Since the Packers agreed to sell Rodgers to the Jets, Green Bay players such as running back Aaron Jones, pass-rusher Preston Smith, and cornerback Jaire Alexander have all publicly backed Love. In terms of his ability, Love stood in for an injured Rodgers during a Week 12 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in November, completing six of nine throws for 113 yards and a score.

Rodgers subsequently told reporters that he felt “like an older brother watching (Love) do well” at Lincoln Financial Field. “Of course it means something,” Jones said about Love’s performance against Philadelphia. “He went out and showed he can do it at a high level against a championship team.

They played in the Super Bowl. Not going in warmed up, not going in with the game plan geared toward him or anything. When he got his opportunity, he made the most of it. That really excites me for this year.” Love said that he and Rodgers had spoken since Green Bay traded the four-time NFL MVP to Gang Green.

“He’s a busy man, so we’re not talking all the time, but it was a good conversation, both wishing each other luck,” Love explained. “I think it was important, us staying in contact, staying together. He let me know if I ever need anything, he’s there for me, his phone is open, I can ask. But pretty much wished each other luck going forward.”

Love agreed to a one-year contract extension earlier this spring, which could keep him with the Packers until at least the 2024 season and was described by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio as “a win-win for player and team.” The fourth-year pro will seek to prove he’s worth more than just the money tied to that deal as soon as Green Bay kicks off the 2018 regular season on Sept. 10 against the rival Chicago Bears.