For Chicago Bears fans, it really has felt like the nightmare may never end with Aaron Rodgers. The Hall of Fame quarterback has owned this team for well over a decade now. Last season was no different as he swept them in the season series, went 13-3, and carried the Green Bay Packers to the NFC championship again. Will it ever end?
For the first time ever, an answer has actually arrived. The Packers stunned the NFL world on Thursday night when they traded up in the 1st round of the draft to select Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. It was an undeniable message that the team has begun thinking about life beyond their superstar. A move that undoubtedly conjured images of 2005 when Rodgers arrived to put an end to the Brett Favre era.
Obviously the Packers didn't commit to any fixed timeline when discussing the pick. Yet they didn't have to. Experts could see the writing on the wall just from viewing the contract situations. The long and short of it? Rodgers will probably be gone after the 2021 season.
Aaron Rodgers was a stroke of luck. Jordan Love?
Most agree that Love is a talented football player. He certainly has the size and arm talent teams look for. He was really good in 2018 for Utah State but regressed badly in 2019. Most view his accuracy and decision-making as areas of notable concern. Will they improve with time to develop? Maybe but those areas tend to be difficult to master without natural talent for them. It's also important to remember this.
A number of other QB-needy teams passed on him. The New England Patriots traded out of the 1st round entirely rather than take him at #23 despite losing Tom Brady. The New Orleans Saints have the 40-year old Drew Brees but opted for a center instead. Now either those teams made a major mistake despite being run by elite coaches and front offices or they didn't see enough to think Love was worth the investment.
Packer fans better pray they were wrong because the end is nigh for their safety blanket in Rodgers.
