Love looking better

It was ugly for Packers QB Jordan Love last summer, according to almost all reports, and the team never felt comfortable enough to activate him as the #2 QB on game days. But he's looking better this year -- at least in shorts at OTAs this week. "He’s definitely matured over the course of the year,” HC Matt LaFleur said. “You can tell that he’s put in the time this offseason, not only just lifting and running and coming in in good football shape, but also you can tell he’s put in the time in his craft in trying to continue to work on his mechanics, his fundamentals that are so critical to playing the position at the highest level possible." And from RB Aaron Jones: “You can tell he’s just a lot more comfortable out there, even from communicating in the huddle to the command of the huddle to just everything. He’s had a year under his belt, he’s had time to watch and learn, so you can tell it’s a little bit different from what it was before. He’s going to continue to grow, and I’m happy to be here working with him.” Love will obviously be a downgrade if he's forced to take over for QB Aaron Rodgers this season -- but let's not assume he'll be a complete disaster.

The Packers passed on picking up QB Jordan Love's fifth-year option and instead signed him to a 2-year deal. Love is getting $13.5 million guaranteed, and the contract can be worth up to $22.5 million total, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. It's a deal that says the Packers still aren't sure that Love is their long-term answer. That's fair, of course, considering Love has thrown just 83 regular-season passes. Green Bay bolstered Love's weaponry last week by drafting WRs Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks and TEs Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. But he still shouldn't be drafted as more than a lower-end QB2 in fantasy football.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said from the Combine on Tuesday that he'd "absolutely" be confident in QB Jordan Love as the team's Week 1 starter. That's the most likely scenario for Green Bay if QB Aaron Rodgers is traded. “I think he’s ready to play and I think he’s ready to be an NFL starting quarterback,” Gutekunst said of Love. “Not every quarterback comes into this league ready to go out there and play. I think he needed a little time, but over the last year and a half or so, we’ve seen that’s the next step in his progression. He needs to go out and play." Love has thrown just 83 regular-season passes since being drafted in 2020, including 21 last year. But he entered the league as an intriguing prospect with prototypical size, a big arm and plus athleticism. Love is worth considering as a QB3 in early best-ball drafts as we continue to monitor the Rodgers situation.

Packers HC Matt LaFleur announced Monday that QB Jordan Love will start the preseason opener. There's obviously nothing to read into this from a roles standpoint, as Aaron Rodgers is locked in for as long as he wants to be. According to The Athletic, LaFleur said he'll decide after the team's 2nd preseason contest whether Rodgers will play at all in the exhibitions. Don't be surprised if we get extended playing time from Love, who has plenty to prove and might even get showcased for potential trades. He's worth keeping in mind if you're playing preseason DFS.

Packers QB Jordan Love (right shoulder) returned to practice on Monday. He’d missed about a week of action with the minor injury. Now, we’ll see if the team deems him healthy enough to suit up for Saturday's preseason game (at Buffalo).

Packers HC Matt LaFleur said Thursday that QB Jordan Love is "unlikely" to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Jets, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. That it's not a definite no from the coach at this point indicates Love's shoulder issue is minor, just as the team has said. Kurt Benkert would start in place of Love, with Aaron Rodgers staying out of harm's way.