The Green Bay Packers are in the midst of a major transition. After decades of elite quarterback play from Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, the team is now tasked with grooming its next signal-caller, Jordan Love. While comparisons to two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history are inevitable, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is confident in the future of his young quarterback. Recently, LaFleur made a statement that caught the attention of fans and analysts alike when he described Love’s play as “ascending” and suggested it would only “get better and better.”
But what does this mean for Love, the Packers, and the trajectory of the team? Let’s break down LaFleur’s comments, explore the context of Jordan Love’s development, and assess what the future holds for Green Bay’s quarterback of the present and future.
### The Significance of LaFleur’s Statement
When LaFleur describes Love’s play as “ascending,” he’s acknowledging a trend of improvement that has been noticeable over the course of the 2023 season. It’s no secret that Green Bay has been going through a transition after Aaron Rodgers’ departure to the New York Jets. The Packers handed the reins to Love, a former first-round pick who spent three seasons learning behind Rodgers before finally getting his chance to start. LaFleur’s comments are significant because they signal a vote of confidence in Love’s development and potential to lead the team for years to come.
LaFleur’s choice of the word “ascending” is also key. To ascend is to rise, to climb to new heights, and it’s a powerful description of Love’s journey as a starter. It’s not just about showing flashes of greatness; it’s about consistent growth, the kind of progress that makes a quarterback more and more effective as the weeks go by.
Moreover, LaFleur’s belief that Love’s play will continue to “get better and better” signals optimism not only for this season but for the long-term future of the Packers. The coach isn’t just looking at one promising game or even a handful of good performances. He’s talking about the overall trajectory of Love’s career, indicating that the best may still be ahead.
### The Journey So Far: Jordan Love’s Development
Jordan Love’s journey to becoming the Packers’ starting quarterback hasn’t been the conventional path. Drafted by Green Bay in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Love was seen as the heir apparent to Rodgers, but the situation was far from ideal for a young quarterback. Rodgers, a three-time MVP and Super Bowl champion, was entrenched as the starter, meaning Love would need to wait his turn and develop without much game experience.
This waiting period, though challenging for Love, provided him with a rare opportunity to learn from one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play. The mentorship of Rodgers was invaluable, allowing Love to absorb knowledge about reading defenses, processing information quickly, and understanding the nuances of running an NFL offense.
However, Love’s true test began when Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets after the 2022 season. No longer a backup, Love became the focal point of the Packers’ future. It’s not an easy position for any young quarterback to step into—taking over a team with high expectations and the legacy of two Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks before him. But Love had been given the time and tools to develop, and 2023 marked his opportunity to show the Packers organization, fans, and the league what he could do.
### Love’s Play in 2023: The Ascension
In the early weeks of the 2023 season, Love’s play was a mix of promise and growing pains. Like many young quarterbacks, he demonstrated moments of brilliance, particularly in his ability to make big throws down the field. Love possesses impressive arm strength and mobility, two key assets for a modern quarterback. He can make throws from different platforms and is not afraid to take shots deep in the passing game.
However, Love also encountered the challenges typical of a first-year starter. He struggled with consistency at times, missing throws that he should have made and showing occasional indecision in the pocket. These lapses were expected as Love adjusted to the speed and complexity of being an NFL starter.
Despite these bumps in the road, Love’s play showed a clear upward trajectory. In several games, his decision-making improved, and his comfort in LaFleur’s system became more apparent. There were signs that he was starting to trust his instincts more, letting the game slow down for him, and that’s a critical component for any young quarterback. His ability to process information quickly and make decisions under pressure was beginning to show signs of maturity.
One of the most impressive aspects of Love’s play has been his ability to handle adversity. Early in the season, the Packers encountered some tough losses, but Love remained resilient. Even when things weren’t going well for the team, Love seemed to continue to make strides, keeping his poise and focusing on improvement. This mental toughness is something that LaFleur has spoken highly of, and it’s an essential quality for a quarterback hoping to lead his team for years.
### The Offensive System: LaFleur’s Role in Love’s Development
Matt LaFleur, now in his fifth year as head coach of the Packers, is known for his offensive acumen and his ability to create a system that suits his quarterbacks. While the offense has evolved over the years, LaFleur’s system is built on quick decision-making, play-action passes, and spreading the ball around to multiple receivers. This style of offense is designed to take advantage of a quarterback’s strengths while also providing the support and structure needed for a young player to grow.
For Love, LaFleur’s system has been critical in his development. The play-action scheme allows Love to operate from different looks, keeping defenses guessing and making it easier for him to read coverages. LaFleur’s emphasis on short to intermediate throws has also allowed Love to build confidence, as he doesn’t need to constantly throw deep to make an impact.
More importantly, LaFleur has demonstrated patience with Love’s development. Rather than forcing him into situations where he might struggle, LaFleur has worked to build the offense around Love’s strengths, letting him grow at a manageable pace. This partnership between coach and quarterback is pivotal for Love’s ascension. The belief that Love’s play will “get better and better” is rooted in the idea that LaFleur’s system and coaching will continue to unlock new levels of performance for his young quarterback.
### The Future: What Lies Ahead for Jordan Love and the Packers
Looking ahead, the future for Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers seems increasingly promising. LaFleur’s confidence in Love’s ascending play indicates that the Packers’ long-term future is in capable hands. If Love continues to develop as expected, he could grow into the type of quarterback who can lead the Packers back to championship contention.
Love still has room to refine his game, particularly in areas like consistency and decision-making under pressure. But his physical tools, work ethic, and LaFleur’s offensive system all suggest that he can be the leader Green Bay has been searching for post-Rodgers. The pieces are in place for Love to grow into a franchise quarterback who can build a legacy of his own, and with LaFleur at the helm, it’s clear that the Packers are fully committed to his development.
In the end, LaFleur’s statement about Love’s play ascending and getting better is more than just a coach’s optimism—it’s a reflection of the belief that the Packers are on the cusp of a new era of football, one that could lead them back to greatness. For Jordan Love, this is just the beginning. The road ahead is full of challenges, but with each step, he’s getting closer to fulfilling his potential and leading Green Bay into the future.