It isn’t every year that a team replaces a generational quarterback that has worn their uniform for 18 years. In 2023, that is precisely what the Packers had to do with Aaron Rodgers. While this isn’t common for most, Green Bay fans saw the same scenario with Aaron Rodgers in 2008 when he replaced Brett Favre. 2023 has been a tumultuous year for the Packers. Let’s take a look at what has transpired.
The Aaron Rodgers Saga
The 2022 season was, without question, Rodgers’ worst in Green Bay. He averaged just 217 yards per game and logged a 41.3 QBR, the worst career mark by a wide margin. His 26 touchdowns were the second-lowest mark of his career, and the 12 interceptions he threw were the most since his first season as the starter. Despite being favorites in the latest NFL fixtures, the Packers finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018 and just the third time since Rodgers became a starter.
The season was marred by the drama between Rodgers and his young receiver core and constant rumors of his potential retirement. After the season, Rodgers went into his now infamous darkness retreat in February, claiming he was “90% retiring” before the withdrawal. When he came out, he knew his time in Green Bay was over one way or another. According to Rodgers, “it was evident that it was retire or move on to a new team.”
Both sides complained about the other, with the Packers claiming that they were unable to reach Rodgers, something he blamed on bad cellular service. Regardless of your side, the stalemate ended in April when the Packers traded Rodgers to the Jets for a 2023 first-round, second-round, sixth-round pick, and a conditional 2024 second-round pick. The trade came after Rodgers announced to the world that he wanted to play for the Jets on the Pat McAfee show. For the Packers, it was time to move on.
Starting The Jordan Love Era
While the demise of Green Bay’s relationship with its Hall of Fame quarterback was quick, the roots were deep, beginning with the Packers’ decision to draft Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. With Rodgers gone, Love finally had his shot, and it has been a roller coaster of a season.
Green Bay started hot, winning two of its first three games, blowing out Chicago on opening day, and narrowly beating New Orleans 18-17 in week three. The only loss in between was a one-point loss to the Falcons on the road. However, it went downhill quickly from there. Led by Love, Green Bay dropped its next four games and five of six overall. Love could have been better during that stretch, which included a loss to the hapless Raiders, throwing just seven touchdowns compared to nine interceptions. His quarterback rating was just 75 in those six games.
However, Love and the Packers responded well to the adversity by winning three consecutive games, capped by a thrilling win against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead. During the three-game winning streak, Love threw for eight touchdowns and no interceptions, with a quarterback rating of 117.5. The wins also brought Green Bay back to .500 for the first time since September, putting them back in the playoff hunt.
How The Rest Of 2023 And Beyond Is Shaping Up
Until now, the Packers had peaked with their Sunday night win in Kansas City. Love was brilliant in that game, passing for 267 yards and three touchdowns against a ferocious Chiefs defense and outdueling two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes. However, the team immediately followed up the marquee win with a brutal loss to the Giants in a game they needed for their playoff hopes. To make matters worse, the loss came on a Monday night, meaning they had a more extended rest period than usual and will have a shorter rest period for their next game.
Currently, the Packers sit at 6-7, holding on to the 7th and final playoff seed by a thread. However, things are looking up for Green Bay. The Packer remaining schedule is challenging, but it could be worse. They play games against the 1-11 Panthers, 5-8 Bears, and 6-7 Bucs. The most challenging remaining game on their schedule is a Christmas Eve trip to Minnesota, but the Vikings are missing their starting quarterback.
The Packers have a legitimate opportunity to make the postseason in Love’s first season, their first season without Rodgers in nearly 20 years. For all his bumps and bruises, Love has been good, too. He has 23 touchdown passes on the season, and his 58.7 QBR is pretty close to Rodgers’ 62.9 mark from his first year as a starter. Their first-year numbers are strikingly similar.
Can The Packers Make The Playoffs?
The Giant’s and Bucs losses hurts them, but they’re still in reasonable shape. They possess tie-breakers against the Rams and Seahawks, their two biggest competitors in the playoff picture. They have possibly the easiest remaining schedule of the three. Green Bay is still in a position to make the playoffs, and if Love can continue progressing, we could see them playing in January.