Green Bay Packers rookie wide receivers said that they are already meshing well with quarterback Jordan Love, who is taking over for Aaron Rodgers.
The Green Bay Packers are beginning a new era at the quarterback position this upcoming season. After 15 years as the starter, Aaron Rodgers is now a member of the New York Jets following an offseason trade. With that, the Packers are moving forward with Jordan Love, their 2020 first-round pick, to lead the team forward.
Could there already be an advantage with Love as the starting quarterback over Rodgers?
Packers wide receivers spoke with ESPN's Rob Demovsky about Love leading the way in organized team activities. One thing that stuck out was that rookie wide receivers found that they can mesh with Love, considering he is young.
"Having Jordan Love, him being young, I'm able to relate to him more and able to just have the same vibe and talk to him," said Dontaviyon Wicks, h/t ESPN. "We sat at a table and talked, ate, things like that. It's just building that bond with him, being that we're so young. We're going to be growing together."
Packers rookie receivers say they can 'mesh' with Jordan Love
Wicks wasn't the only rookie who brought up how well they are meshing with Love. Second-round draft pick Jayden Reed told Demovsky that he feels "very comfortable" around Love and mentions that they can both approach one another.
Love is 24 years old and will turn 25 this November. Despite being in the league for three years, he hasn't had much time to start. Rodgers playing at an NFL MVP level in his first two seasons certainly played a factor in that. But in spot appearances, Love did show promise.
He received his first start in the 2021 season against the Kansas City Chiefs after Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19. In the 13-7 loss, Love threw 19 completions for 190 yards and one touchdown, while throwing one interception, in 34 attempts. Then this past season, Love entered in relief of Rodgers in Week 12 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Love completed six passes for 113 yards and a touchdown on nine attempts. Green Bay lost that game 40-33.
Now, Love gets his opportunity to start a full season for the Packers. He won't have the same supporting cast as Rodgers had, as wideouts Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb both joined him on the Jets. But, the team did draft receivers Reed, Wicks, and Grant DuBose, in addition to two tight ends in Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft.
The Packers and the NFL world will see if Love can be the long-term answer at the position, and if his chemistry with rookie and veteran wide receivers can result in wins.
