The Green Bay Packers’ 2024 season hopes took a big blow in their opener, falling 34-29 to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. The real kicker? Quarterback Jordan Love went down with a sprained MCL. NFL Media reports he’s expected to be out for 3 to 6 weeks, but there’s some hope he might make it back sooner.
Love got hurt while trying to pull off a game-winning drive with under 30 seconds left. The $220 million QB got twisted up in the pocket, fighting through defenders, and managed to dump the ball off to Josh Jacobs before hitting the turf. Clearly in pain, Love limped off the field with the help of trainers.
Head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t offer much when asked about Love’s condition after the game, saying, “I don’t know.” Before his exit, Love performed well, completing 17 of 34 passes for 260 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick.
How Will Jordan Love’s Injury Impact The Packers?
Love’s injury could have significant implications for the Packers’ season, but their playoff hopes aren’t entirely dashed. The young Packers team, viewed as a potential NFC contender, entered the 2024 season with high expectations. Green Bay looked poised to take a big step forward after finishing 9-8 in 2023 and securing a playoff win over the Dallas Cowboys. Love, who threw 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions in the final ten games of his first entire season as a starter, earned himself a four-year, $220 million extension in July.
According to Stephen Oh, SportsLine’s principal data engineer, the Packers’ long-term outlook remains steady despite Love’s injury. With a healthy Love, Oh projected the Packers to win 9.7 games with a 63.3% chance of making the playoffs. Without him for three games, the projections dip slightly to 9.2 wins and a 55.0% playoff chance. Fortunately, Green Bay’s upcoming schedule seems favorable, with home games against the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings and an away game against the Tennessee Titans.
In Love’s absence, 25-year-old Malik Willis steps in as the starter. Green Bay acquired Willis just a couple of weeks ago by trading a seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans. General Manager Brian Gutekunst chose Malik Willis over Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, showing faith in the Liberty product. Willis, a former third-round pick, lacks significant NFL experience, having started only three games and won one. In those games, he threw for 350 yards with zero touchdowns and three interceptions. Despite limited action, Willis has shown notable improvement over the past few seasons in his development. If Willis capitalizes on this opportunity as a dual-threat quarterback, he could help the Packers stay competitive in the playoff race. The Packers must navigate their next few games well to remain in contention for the playoffs.
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If the Packers look outside their roster for Jordan Love’s replacement, several intriguing options are available.
Few Quarterbacks Who Could Step In And Keep Green Bay On Track
If the Packers look outside their roster for Jordan Love’s replacement, several intriguing options are available.
1. Ryan Tannehill
Among the free-agent quarterbacks, Ryan Tannehill stands out as the top option. Tannehill is no stranger to stepping in and turning a season around. In 2019, he replaced Marcus Mariota as the Tennessee Titans’ starting quarterback, leading the team to win seven of their final ten games. This strong finish earned the Titans a playoff spot, where they defeated Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the wild-card round and upset the No. 1 seed Baltimore Ravens before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship. Tannehill’s remarkable run earned him the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
Over the next four seasons, Tannehill remained the Titans’ starter, compiling a 39-24 record and winning two AFC South titles. However, after an ankle injury sidelined him in 2023, he lost his starting role to rookie Will Levis. Now, at 36, Tannehill is looking for the right opportunity. While he would need to learn the Packers’ offense quickly, this situation could provide precisely the fresh start he’s looking for.
2. Jameis Winston
Jameis Winston could be another viable option for the Packers, though they would need to trade for him since he is currently the backup quarterback for the Cleveland Browns behind Deshaun Watson. At 30, Winston is still a capable leader and could serve as an excellent replacement for Love. Known for his ability to rally a team, Winston is also recognized as one of the better backup quarterbacks in the league, and he still can throw deep.
Winston’s career has been a rollercoaster. In 2019, he became infamous for his “30 and 30” season, throwing 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions while leading the NFL in passing yards with 5,109 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After the Bucs replaced him with Brady, Winston moved to the New Orleans Saints, where he threw for 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, winning six of 10 starts over four seasons. His experience and skill set could make him a valuable asset for the Packers.
3. Bailey Zappe
For a younger option, the Packers might consider Bailey Zappe. Currently, on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad, Zappe has a connection to Green Bay. In 2022, while with the New England Patriots, Zappe saw his first NFL action at Lambeau Field when Brian Hoyer went down with a concussion. Zappe completed 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, taking Aaron Rodgers to overtime in that game.
Overall, Zappe has a 4-4 record as a starter and has thrown for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. A Western Kentucky product, Zappe might be an appealing choice for the Packers if they want a young quarterback with a strong arm and potential for growth, as he once caught Bill Belichick’s attention. Each of these quarterbacks brings something different to the table, and the Packers will need to consider what fits best for their team moving forward.
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