The Green Bay Packers have been a playoff team with Jordan Love under center in each of the quarterback's first two years as the team's starter. However, the standards are incredibly high in Green Bay after back to back sensational runs with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Love has demonstrated that he is solid at the position, but that's not enough for this franchise.

Head coach Matt LaFleur is not going to let Love go into training camp or start the upcoming season with anything less than a full dose of confidence. Love had two of his best games in the 2023 postseason when he led the Packers to a road victory over the Dallas Cowboys and a near-upset of the San Francisco 49ers.

His statistics were not as good in 2024 as they were the year before and that has led to loud whispers that Love went through a period of regression last year. He threw for 3,389 yards with 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season after throwing for 4,159 yards, with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2023.

LaFleur does not accept that Love regressed in 2024. “I think there’s like a narrative out there for whatever reason that he wasn’t as productive as the year before,” LaFleur said. “Well, he missed significant time. He missed the better of three games. So, you know, three games is a significant amount of time and you’re not going to produce as much from a numbers perspective.”

Packers facing significant competition in NFL's toughest division

Article Continues Below
More NFL News
Head coach Brian Daboll
Why Giants’ new quarterback Russell Wilson doesn’t mind the bright lights in NYDylan Fine ·
Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (9) fights for yards during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Dolphins star Jonnu Smith’s agent reveals ‘first choice’ amid trade rumorsMiguel La Torre ·
Sean McVay has three hidden gem players on his 2025 Rams roster
3 Los Angeles Rams hidden gems on 2025 roster you need to knowLorenzo J Reyna ·
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) carries the ball in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ersat Levi's Stadium. The Giants defeated the 49ers 27-23.
Odell Beckham Jr. makes heartbreaking confession on Giants exitRichard Pereira ·
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) signals from the line of scrimmage against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.
NFL rumors: Bills, 49ers among contenders that should seek Tyreek Hill tradeJaren Kawada ·
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) is tackled by New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (32) during a punt return during the first half at MetLife Stadium.
NFL rumors: Mike Florio tosses out ‘intriguing’ Tyreek Hill trade idea for BearsSteve Silverman ·

No matter how LaFleur looks at it, his quarterback is going to have to be at his best if the Packers are going to make a strong run in the NFC North.

The Detroit Lions have won the division two years in a row and they were the top seed in the NFC when the regular season came to an end. The Minnesota Vikings had a sensational season with a 14-3 record. If they had beaten the Lions in the last game of the regular season, they would have won the division and earned the top seed in the NFC playoffs.

The Packers are a very talented team but Love and his teammates are going to have to step up if they are going to compete with those outstanding division rivals and the improving Chicago Bears. Love certainly has an excellent supporting cast on offense, with Josh Jacobs running the ball and rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden adding significant speed and big play ability to the Green Bay offense.