Rectifying a Packers' Mistake

After a 40-33 loss at the Eagles, Green Bay has fallen to 4-8, 11th in the NFC and three games behind the Washington Commanders with five games to go, and Washington has the tie breaker. Minnesota can also clinch the NFC North this week and that's all in conjunction with Aaron Rodgers adding a rib injury to his thumb fracture. There are no more excuses for the Green Bay Packers to trudge on with this loyalty to the quarterback who has shown them little the last few seasons.

Rodgers didn't finish the game and his maligned backup, Jordan Love, came in to go 6-9 for 113 yards and a touchdown. I watched Love while living in Logan, Utah (where Utah State is) and thought the draft pick made sense at the time but have been a critic of his for the very little we've seen of him. However, while the hype has run amok a bit, after a solid showing Love looked solid in an emergency appearance. He showed enough in that short appearance that it's now time for him to audition for what his role can be next season. More importantly, this whole lost season gives Green Bay a chance to rectify a big mistake they made this off season.

I've been a big proponent of general manager Brian Gutekunst choosing wrong in not shipping Rodgers out this past summer. While I do believe the Denver Broncos would be better with Rodgers instead of the disastrous season Russell Wilson is having, I bet most Packer fans would have loved to have that similar trade package that went to Seattle even if it wasn't a top ten pick for this upcoming draft. Even if it didn't salvage the Davante Adams situation Green Bay would have had picks 9, 22, 28, 40, 53 and 59 along with another 1st and 2nd for the 2023 draft. Maybe the Drew Lock and Shelby Harris parts could have been changed, but I'm still a believer in Noah Fant. And with the pass catching room losing the best WR in the NFL, adding a top 10 pick TE would have been a nice addition. Ultimately, it was about the three 1st and 2nd round picks in 2022 and two of each for 2023 being a TON of ammo to build around Love.

Of course this in hindsight and maybe the Packers would have pulled the trigger on another QB since we still know very little of their former 1st round pick. However, it is worth noting that Love is following the exact same timeline of Rodgers. It was reported that while Rodgers sat behind Brett Favre all of his mechanics were broken down and rebuilt on his way to being a sure thing, first ballot Hall of Famer. I'm not saying Love will be Rodgers, but Green Bay has quite the history at the QB position and Love had a lot of tools people liked so it stands to reason that Love could be following a similar path.

Another option, in an underwhelming QB class in 2022, was the Packers leveraging some of that draft capital via trade downs to load up for the better 2023 QB class while still giving Love a full season to be evaluated. Either way, Green Bay would have everything on the table if they had pulled that trigger. Instead they gave a massive contract to an aging QB who flirts with retirement every season. Anyone getting Brett Favre deja vu?

In fairness, the Packers have dealt with a lot of injuries, especially on the defensive side. While the talking point has died off with Christian Watson breaking out, we all still heard about the youth of the pass catchers. It is a young WR room, but I think it has been overblown as we're watching other talented quarterbacks elevate the talent around them. As a Bears fan you can't say Chicago has a ton of talent on the offensive side, yet Justin Fields has that offense exploding. Patrick Mahommes lost Tyreek Hill and still will likely win the MVP. Justin Herbert continues to not have his top two receivers and still has had some success. The point is the Green Bay Hall of Famer is not holding up his end of the bargain.

I will say that Gutekunst does deserve blame for not making a notable veteran WR addition. The Packers do have talent, let's not forget about All-Pro running back Aaron Jones. A.J. Dillion has come on to provide a two-headed running attack. Cue criticism for head coach Matt LaFleur for not taking control of the offense while the receivers needed to adjust. Rodgers isn't without criticism for changing runs, but there's blame all around.

Now, will the Packers be able to secure a similar trade package this off season? No, but I don't doubt there will be a market for Rodgers. We've seen Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz (twice) and Matt Stafford all recently traded. After a career worst season, being injured and the massive contract the trade value has significantly dropped, but Rodgers will still be enticing to a team that thinks they're a QB away from post season success. A year too late instead of a year too early, but it would be re-do on a mistake the front office made.

Even if Jordan Love isn't the guy, it's quite evident the time is now for the Packers to move off another Hall of Fame QB. Maybe the Packers believe this is just a fluke season and Rodgers can bounce back, but that doesn't change the need to see what Love can do. That way he can at least show he's an asset the team can use. With the decision needed on his fifth year option coming this off season the only wrong choice would be to not give Love some meaningful snaps. That would be the Packers tripling down on the wrong choice.