Packers’ Jordan Love Off To An Impressive Start - Forbes

The future of Aaron Rodgers is undoubtedly the talk of the football world.

But while the Green Bay Packers and their disgruntled quarterback figure whether a reconciliation is possible, life goes on for everybody else. Right now, that means organized team activities, which were open to the media Tuesday.

And here’s what we learned.

1. All You Need Is Love

Second-year quarterback Jordan Love, the Packers’ first round draft pick in 2020, appears to have taken a step forward this offseason.

Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur said, “the ball is really jumping out of (Love’s) hands well right now.”

Nose tackle Kenny Clark said Love looked far more comfortable than a year ago.

“Yeah, he definitely looks more comfortable,” Clark said of Love. “You know, I’m excited to see him grow, know what I’m saying. I’m excited to see him just come out and just commanding his huddle and leading the guys and doing what he do. Can’t wait to see him play in the preseason and all that kind of stuff and get some live action. That will be for a later time, but right now, you can tell he’s a lot more comfortable, talking more in the locker room. He’s enjoying himself out there and that’s good to see.”

2. Distraction? What distraction?

When Brett Favre retired, unretired, then tried coming back to the Packers in the summer 2008, it was an enormous distraction for everyone inside the organization.

When asked about Rodgers Tuesday, several players downplayed the potential disruption. But if the Rodgers-saga drags on, it will be a similar commotion to the one the Packers experienced 13 years ago.

That team went 6-10 just one year after finishing 13-3 and reaching the NFC Championship Game.

“I’m not worried about what other people are doing right now or what’s going on,” running back Aaron Jones said. “I’m just focused on myself and controlling what I can control. I’ve got a lot going on myself and trying to make sure I’m straight myself. I’m not too worried about other people right now.”

Clark agreed.

“I don't think it's going to be that much of a distraction,” he said. “We’ve got to control what we can control as a team and we’ve just to come out, practice, handle business and play ball. You know, we’ve got to leave that situation to the organization and Aaron. But as far as us up here, we only can control what we can control and handle our business.”

3. Communication breakdown?

Rodgers said Monday that communication was a problem inside Green Bay’s organization. For example, Rodgers was angry that management didn't give him a heads up that they were drafting Love in 2020.

Green Bay’s current power structure calls for team president Mark Murphy, general manager Brian Gutekunst, executive vice president Russ Ball and LaFleur to all meet regularly. When asked about any communication breakdowns Tuesday, LaFleur seemed to feel differently than his MVP quarterback.

“I think the communication, especially as we’ve all kind of grown together, has gotten better and better,” LaFleur said. “We meet regularly. I don’t think there’s a day that goes by that I don’t have communication with all three of those guys.”

4. Where are the wide receivers?

While OTA’s are voluntary, ESPN reported that 79 of the Packers’ 89 players were on the field Tuesday. Interestingly, Green Bay was missing five wide receivers — Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Devin Funchess and Equanimeous St. Brown.

“I think as a coach you always want as many guys that choose to show up here,” LaFleur said. “You talk about, I think there’s a lot of team chemistry, which is so important in winning and losing in this league and just learning how to play together, learning how to practice together, setting the standards for this football team, so certainly, yeah, you’d love to have everybody here.”

5. Line dancing

With left tackle David Bakhtiari recovering from an ACL tear last December and Pro Bowl center Corey Linsley now a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, the Packers’ offensive line is in flux.

On Tuesday, Green Bay’s No. 1 unit consisted of left tackle David Bakhtiari, left guard Jon Runyan, center Josh Myers, right guard Lucas Patrick and right tackle Billy Turner.

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