A new era has begun for the Green Bay Packers. With Aaron Rodgers now a New York Jet, Jordan Love emerged in a big way in his debut as the full-time starting quarterback Sunday at Chicago in the Packers season-opening 38-20 win over the Bears.
Love went 15-27 for 245 yards and threw three touchdown passes in his season debut, quieting critics, and electrifying Packers fans.
“All in all, I couldn’t be more proud of just his performance, his poise,” coach Matt LaFleur told reporters after the game of his new starting signal caller. “There’s a big-time belief in that locker room for Jordan Love, and I think the guys are going to rally around him, they’re excited for him, they love him, they respect him.”
Starting wide receiver Romeo Doubs was listed as questionable going into Sunday’s game, but still caught two touchdown passes in limited action.
Aaron Jones caught a screen pass for 51 yards, which later set up another pass to him for a 35-yard touchdown. The starting running back had a great second half before leaving the game with a hamstring injury, which he described as a “bite” after the game, saying the injury was not as bad as some had originally feared.
The highlight of the game for Love was on a third down dropped snap, where he found rookie tight end Luke Musgrave wide open for a 37-yard pass that set up a touchdown to Doubs for his second score in the final quarter. Love was able to scramble for 12 yards on the ground to add to his impressive statistics. Rookie wideout Jayden Reed suffered cramps during the game but returned late as time was expiring in Chicago.
Many fans did not know what to expect from the fourth-year quarterback for his first career start. But, with his performance on Sunday it does make the future look bright for Packers fans and the organization.
Green Bay now travels to Atlanta for a noon week two showdown on 97.3 The Game and statewide on the Packers Radio Network.