GREEN BAY, Wis. — Following a surprising playoff run in his inaugural season as a starter, Jordan Love was rewarded with a substantial $220 million contract extension due to his knack for producing impressive plays while minimizing turnovers. However, a year later, Love finds himself in a challenging position as he shares the lead for interceptions in the NFL.
The Green Bay Packers’ hopes for a deeper postseason journey hinge significantly on Love’s ability to curb his turnovers. After a 24-14 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions, where he accounted for his second pick-6 of the season, Love expressed that improving ball security will be a major focus for him moving forward. Currently, the Packers boast a record of 6-3, sitting 1.5 games behind Detroit and a half-game behind Minnesota in the competitive NFC North as they head into their bye week. Love witnessed his struggles particularly in two home defeats against the Lions and Vikings, culminating in four interceptions.
Last season, Love was instrumental in igniting a late-season surge for the Packers, amassing 21 touchdown passes against only one interception over a nine-game stretch that included a triumphant 48-32 wild-card win against Dallas. Nonetheless, he faced challenges in the playoff loss to San Francisco, where he was intercepted twice in the second half. The organization’s confidence in Love was demonstrated when they secured him with a four-year extension over the summer.
While Love continues to exhibit his explosive qualities on the field, his playing style has shifted toward a more high-risk approach. In the 2023 season, he notched 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over 579 passes. By contrast, this year has seen him throw 15 touchdown passes but accumulate 10 interceptions within just 240 attempts.
“My focus going forward will definitely center on improving ball security,” Love stated. “It’s essential to stick to my reads and strike the right balance between making plays and safely throwing the ball away when necessary.” He acknowledged the need for better decision-making and being mindful of taking care of the football.
Despite being sidelined for two full games due to a knee injury and missing a portion of another due to a groin issue, Love still shares the top spot in interceptions alongside Seattle’s Geno Smith. Notably, he has faced significantly less pressure, being sacked only seven times compared to Smith’s 28.
The Packers have steadfast faith in Love’s abilities, with him ranking fourth in the league for yards per completion at 12.4 and fifth in passing yards per game at around 260. “He remains unflappable,” remarked general manager Brian Gutekunst. “His consistent focus and the explosive nature of our offense owe much to him. We’re progressing toward becoming a complete team prepared to tackle any situation, though we’re not there yet.”
Head coach Matt LaFleur values Love’s assertiveness but emphasizes the importance of weighing the game situation to determine when to take risks versus when to play it safe. LaFleur highlighted a pivotal moment from the Lions game where Love’s decision to attempt a pass under pressure resulted in a costly interception just before halftime. He underscored that in such situations, it may be wiser to throw the ball away and prepare for the next play.
Love has illustrated a capacity for improvement as the season unfolds. Last year, he faced challenges during a four-game slump, throwing seven interceptions against just four touchdown passes before rebounding to exhibit remarkable performance down the stretch. He is now looking to replicate that success by adhering to the fundamentals.
“The big plays will emerge if I resist the temptation to force things,” Love noted. “Returning to my core principles, maintaining discipline, and making sound choices with the football will be crucial.”