In a peculiar parallel between the 2008 and 2023 NFL seasons, Aaron Rodgers took over from Brett Favre in 2008, just as Jordan Love stepped into Rodgers’ shoes in 2023. Despite calls for Green Bay to replace Love, a closer look at their first seasons as starting quarterbacks reveals striking similarities.
Both Rodgers and Love had a 5-6 record in their first eleven games, averaging 236 yards per game. While Rodgers boasted a higher completion percentage (64.5%) compared to Love (60.5%), Love threw more touchdowns (19) than Rodgers (17) during this period. Love did have one more interception (10) than Rodgers (9).
In terms of quarterback rating, Rodgers held a slight edge with a rating of 91.7 compared to Love’s 87.4. However, Love showcased his prowess by outperforming Rodgers in certain aspects, throwing more touchdowns and enduring only one less sack.
Assessing the offensive weapons, Love faced a challenge with fewer experienced players compared to Rodgers. Love’s receiving quadrant of Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks had a total of four years of experience, including two rookies. In contrast, Rodgers had Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, and a young Jordy Nelson, accumulating 12 years of experience, with only one rookie.
Love’s tight end options, Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, were both rookies, whereas Rodgers had the more experienced Donald Lee and rookie Jermichael Finley. The running back scenario slightly favored Love, having Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon with eleven years of experience, while Rodgers had Ryan Grant and John Kuhn with only six years of experience.
Despite facing similar challenges, the article suggests that Love has performed admirably in his first season as the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. The comparison also highlights Love’s potential for a strong finish to the season, unlike Rodgers in 2008, who went 1-4 in the last five games.