Would the Packers trade Jordan Love before deadline?

When the Green Bay Packers moved up in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft to select quarterback Jordan Love, it seemed like the beginning of the end for Aaron Rodgers. With a lot changing in one and a half years, would the Packers move on from their succession plan and trade Love before the deadline?

The NFL trade deadline is coming up in less than two weeks–Tuesday, November 2nd–and Green Bay could do something to further move their chips into the middle of the table. By now, you’re likely familiar with the contract issues the Packers are facing in 2022 where they’ll have to make a number of significant decisions, including one about Rodgers’ future.

But what if they turned the tide and traded away Love before this year’s deadline?

With the NFL trade deadline approaching, would the Green Bay Packers do something drastic like trading quarterback Jordan Love?

The move would certainly signal to Rodgers that the Packers fully support the reigning MVP. At 5-1, Green Bay has somewhat stumbled to a strong record against mostly weak competition.

After their Week 7 matchup against the Washington Football Team, however, the tide is about to turn. They play a plethora of likely playoff teams including at the Arizona Cardinals (6-0), at the Kansas City Chiefs (3-3), vs the Los Angeles Rams (5-1) and at the Baltimore Ravens (5-1). Their record could quickly turn for the worse.

In a recent ESPN article, Packers’ reporter Rob Demovsky suggested the Packers do just that and trade Love away by the deadline. He says it’s not likely Green Bay makes the move, but, “It would show Aaron Rodgers that they’re truly committed to him beyond just this season. That might prompt Rodgers to sign a contract extension that would not only help ensure he could finish his career in Green Bay, but also alleviate some of the salary-cap issues that might force the Packers into a rebuilding mode in 2022. It would be risky, because there’s still a chance Love — the No. 26 overall pick in the 2020 draft — could be their next franchise quarterback, but it’s not like he has done anything so far to assure the team of such a future”

Coincidentally, Rich Eisen and guest Albert Breer also discussed the idea of ditching any plans to move on from Rodgers in the offseason. They discuss points such as Rodgers’ best chance to win a Super Bowl is in Green Bay and his comments about last Sunday not being his final game at Soldier’s Field.

As the Packers continue to rack up the victories, it’s hard to imagine a very near future without Rodgers. Yes, Love showed some promise and development in Year 2, but there’s no saying how he’ll pan out in the long run. The coaches and front office get an everyday look at the second-year quarterback and if they have any doubts about his ability to take over the team next year then they should consider this possibility.

One of the most difficult aspects of the NFL is that it’s a business where emotions are heavily involved. However, the Packers have to set their emotions aside. If they made one mistake by drafting Love and it’s not panning out, don’t let those feelings turn one mistake into multiple. Take a long, hard look at what’s best for your franchise.