Let's just get this out of the way right off the bat. As a 32-year-old Packers fan from New Jersey, my whole life has literally been filled with elite quarterbacks. Watching Favre was special, and I had the pleasure of seeing him win games at Lambeau and the old Giants stadium. These are memories that I will remember forever. Having said that, I may have watched Favre as a child, but I grew up watching Aaron Rodgers.
I was just 13 years old when the Packers drafted Rodgers, and two years ago, when he and Randall Cobb walked off Lambeau after losing to Detroit to miss the playoffs. I was 30, married, with a baby girl on the way. Naturally I was skeptical about Jordan Love taking over and honestly went into the 2023-2024 season not expecting much.
Love is All You Need
I never would have thought that last year would be the most fun Packers fans have had since the 2010 Super Bowl run. After the huge win to start the year, the growing pains settled in, and while the losses were frustrating, we slowly got to see Love and the team grow right before our eyes.
The Packers' magical run last year proved that Jordan Love deserved the massive payday he just received. The main reason is how calm he is on the road and in hostile situations. Not only does it put confidence in the fan base and coaching staff, but it also shows that he can lead even when the cards are stacked against him.
Whether it was the big Sunday Night Football win against KC or the huge road wins at Detroit, Minnesota, and Dallas, Love showed his poise and his ability to lead a team of young players. No environment seemed too big or too intense for Jordan.
If not for Carlson missing that field goal in the NFC Divisional Round in SF, I truly believe the Packers win that game and upset Detroit on the road to head to the Super Bowl. Love had to deal with all the criticism throughout last off-season and preseason, with multiple NFL experts expressing that they had little to no faith in him. He overcame the doubters and did the unthinkable in leading a playoff charge with the league's youngest team.
Eye of the Tiger
We all remember Apollo Creed in Rocky III trying to ignite the drive and fire inside Rocky after it looked like he had lost it after reaching the top of the boxing world. "Eye of the Tiger Rock. Eye of the Tiger." The year before Love took over, the Packers had lost that fire. Jordan Love reignited that flame in the team and the city of Green Bay.
You've seen it all throughout the league recently how hard it is to get a quarterback. Teams have swung and missed on drafting quarterbacks in the first round and are immediately back at square one just a few years later. Love has proven he is a winner and has proven there is no moment too big for him. He is worth every penny the Packers paid him and will bring the title back to town!
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