Pat McAfee Praises Jordan Love While Criticizing Front Office Over Aaron Rodgers
The Green Bay Packers made a controversial decision last offseason by trading Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. This move aimed to pave the way for Jordan Love, whom they drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. General manager Brian Gutekunst faced significant criticism from both the media and fans.
Despite Rodgers’ worst statistical season in 2022, many doubted if Love could surpass the four-time MVP. The Packers provided Love with a young group of pass catchers, contrasting with Rodgers’ experienced targets, including Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and star receiver Garrett Wilson.
Many anticipated Rodgers would outperform Love in 2023. However, Rodgers’ season was cut short by an Achilles injury just four snaps into the season. Meanwhile, Love struggled initially, leading the youngest offense in the NFL to a 2-5 start. Speculation arose that the Packers might draft a replacement for him in 2024.
Love, however, turned things around, guiding Green Bay to a 7-3 record in their final 10 games. He ended the season with impressive statistics:
| Quarterback | Completion % | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Love | 64.2% | 4,159 | 32 | 11 | 96.1 |
| Aaron Rodgers | 63.6% | 4,038 | 28 | 13 | 93.8 |
| Brett Favre | 64.1% | 3,227 | 18 | 13 | 85.3 |
Love not only set records for a first-year starter but also led the team to a winning record and a playoff berth, something Rodgers didn’t achieve in his first and last seasons.
On the Pat McAfee Show, McAfee praised Love’s development but criticized the Packers’ handling of Rodgers’ departure. McAfee, a close friend of Rodgers, remarked on the improved team cohesion under Love but questioned the decision to push Rodgers out after his MVP seasons.
McAfee’s criticism aligns with his friendship with Rodgers. Nonetheless, it’s debatable whether the Packers made the wrong decision. Rodgers had his worst season in 2022 and did not communicate with the Packers after their Week 18 loss, making it unclear if a resolution could have been reached for 2023.
Ultimately, the Packers chose to move forward with Love, who proved to be the better option on the field. Rodgers’ unavailability for discussions suggests he might have engineered his own exit.
