NFL insider dives into expectations for Jordan Love, how he could surprise people

There’s a new sheriff in Green Bay, and after waiting in the wings for two seasons, Jordan Love is finally getting his chance to be the Packers starting quarterback.

Having the inexperienced Love take over has brought about some polarizing opinions from fans across the NFL. During a recent appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, NFL insider Mike Garafalo stood up for Love, revealing what many would call an unpopular opinion of Love ahead of his first season as QB1.

“I know that a lot of people are impressed with what they saw last year. He was a different quarterback when he went into the Philadelphia game — he was able to see things and process things a lot quicker than he had in the past,” Garafalo said. “Honestly, most of the external conversation on Love has been with those impressed with how far he’s come in Green Bay.

“When I talk to people [in Green Bay], they say, ‘we didn’t know we had a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback in Aaron Rodgers when we moved on Brett Favre. We felt pretty good about it. We also don’t know if we have a really good quarterback in Jordan, but we feel good about it.’ That’s what helped them make the move from Aaron to Jordan.”

Love has a lot to prove before he can be slotted on the same level as Rodgers or Favre. Having thrown 606 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions over his two-year NFL career, Love lacks experience — but that hasn’t stopped his teammates from having his back throughout the offseason.

Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs said that he can’t tell a huge difference in catching passes from Rodgers vs. passes from Love. Star running back Aaron Jones wasn’t shy about letting it be known that the entire team is rooting for his success this fall, either.

“I think Jordan is a really good quarterback,” Doubs told Dennis Krause earlier this month. “When you go from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan, Aaron was a really great quarterback, but I believe Jordan can do the same exact thing. So I don’t really see what’s the big difference.”

Doubs said there has been a noticeable progression from Love between this time last season compared to now. He believes Love will help keep the Packers’ tradition with their historically winning ways despite the bevy of departures this offseason.

Based on the fact that Green Bay locked Love down with a two-year contract extension earlier this offseason — the Packers seem to feel the same way.