What do LL Cool J and the Green Bay Packers have in common?

They both need Love.

In 2008, the Packers made the decision to move on from Brett Favre and go with Aaron Rodgers (after Rodgers sat and learned the position for three seasons). 

In 2023, the Packers made the decision to move on from Aaron Rodgers and go with Jordan Love (after Love sat and learned the position for two seasons).

(By the way, with the exception of a few spot starts, the Packers have had THREE starting quarterbacks over the last THREE DECADES. That is impressive positional development.

In his first year as a full-time starter, Love had an effective season – over 4000 yards passing, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The team had ebbs and flows, but managed to make the playoffs with a win in their last game of the season. The Packers then went to Dallas and humiliated the Cowboys before losing to the Niners in the Divisional Round. Despite the loss, the Packers played inspired, and it took a late interception for San Francisco to seal the deal.

The relationship is now more than a crush for the Packers. Love has been rewarded with a contract with an AAV that is the highest in the league (along with Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence). It’s time to show the franchise and the league that he’s an Around the Way dude.

Green Bay made three huge moves in the offseason:

1. They released David Bakhtiari, arguably the face of the franchise over the past decade. This allowed the Packers to open up $21 million in cap room.
2. They signed safety Xavier McKinney to replace Darnell Savage, who signed with the Jaguars. The defense was good against the pass, but not great. They were a “bend but not break” unit. The Packers defense was 28th against the run in yards per game, but 10th in Red Zone defense. This move solidifies the secondary and adds another player to stop the run when needed. 
3. They signed Josh Jacobs and let Aaron Jones walk. Jacobs got his bag in Green Bay that he didn’t get in Las Vegas. I expect him to come into the season with a chip on his shoulder, and an attitude to prove to the Raider brass that his money is deserved.

Matt LaFleur and the Packers don’t want you to call it a comeback – rather, they’ve been here for years. On paper, they are probably the second best team in the NFC North. Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, and Karl Brooks need to step up and be run stoppers. The receiving corps of Romeo Doubs (3rd year), Christian Watson (3rd year), and Jayden Reed (2nd year) have loads of potential – they need to take another step forward this year to help Jordan Love stretch the field. Jacobs needs to have a huge season.

I would not be surprised to see Green Bay return to the playoffs again. I think they’ll be right there with the Lions at the end, but will finish second in the division. The road to the Super Bowl will go through San Francisco again, so the Packers will definitely be “Going Back to Cali” for another shot at the Niners.

The NFC is stacked, but the Packers are right there. It should be a fun year full of Lambeau Leaps in Green Bay.