Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is entering his fourth year as a starter and his seventh in Matt LaFleur’s offense. Outside of LaFleur, he probably knows the offense better than anyone.
That was confirmed early in training camp when LaFleur stated that Love was the “best he’s been around” at making adjustments at the line of scrimmage. While some considered that a shot at future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, it was really giving flowers to Love for how far he has come as an NFL quarterback.
On Wednesday, Love agreed that his command of the offense is where his game has grown the most while stating that it’s something he’s been intentional about since arriving in Green Bay in 2020.
“Every year for me is understanding the offense a little
bit more, understanding the protections a little bit more, understanding what calls I need to get to, and being able to process everything a little bit faster,” Love said. “I think year after year, you see more, obviously, you see more looks from defenses, and, as we go back, watch film, you figure out the answers, and then it starts clicking when you’re at the line of scrimmage.
“That area is definitely where I’ve grown the most since I got here, just understanding protections, how to protect myself, how to make certain calls to be able to pick stuff up, knowing when I’m hot, and how to get the ball out of my hands,” Love continued. “I’m always trying to avoid the negative plays, which is sacks and maybe not seeing a blitz and getting hit in the back, so things like that. I think that’s where I’ve elevated my game the most, and since I got here, that’s where I’ve put the most time in.”
Love should expect plenty of pressure in the season opener versus the Minnesota Vikings. Under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the Vikings have led the league in blitz rate each of the past three seasons.
During that stretch, Love has had success against Flores’ defenses. He’s completing 63 percent of his passes and has thrown nine touchdowns to four interceptions, but he has also been able to lean on the run game, which may not be the case on Sunday.
The Packers could be forced to air it out if their running back-by-committee approach sans Josh Jacobs is ineffective. There’s also uncertainty about who will start at left guard if Aaron Banks’ knee tendinitis keeps him sidelined. Starting tackles Jordan Morgan and Zach Bako-Bewele were also listed on Wednesday’s injury report with knee ailments.
Fortunately, Green Bay kind of knows what to expect in Week 1.
Flores will bring the heat, and while Love seems to be equipped to handle whatever is thrown at him, he recognizes the challenge ahead.
“I think (Flores) has got one of the best, trickiest schemes with everybody up there at the line of scrimmage, all the different pressures they bring,” said Love. “There’s a lot of stuff for a quarterback to be able to see. It’s definitely tough. I think not too many defenses are as exotic as they are.”
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Jordan Love’s command of Packers offense faces early test vs. Brian Flores
