With Aaron Rodgers’ absence looming largely over the Packers’ mandatory minicamp, his de facto heir apparent is not off to the best start.
Quarterback Jordan Love took the first-team snaps during Tuesday’s minicamp practice and didn’t exactly make the Packers miss Rodgers any less. Love, Green Bay’s first-round selection in last year’s draft, struggled with accuracy, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, connecting on 12 of 23 pass attempts throughout the afternoon.
The team also did a two-minute drill, but Love was unable to guide the offense past the 50-yard line, according to USA Today. The second-year quarterback overthrew his targets on two separate throws, once to tight end Robert Tonyan, and then to uncovered receiver Malik Taylor on a fourth down, which ended the drive.
It was just the first day of practice, but Love’s struggles were still notable.
“He needs every rep he can get right now,” head coach Matt LaFleur said, according to USA Today. “He’s a young quarterback that was not afforded a preseason last year, and so we’ll give him as many as he can handle. We’ll spell him every now and then, but I just think every rep that he takes is so valuable, and you can learn something both from the good and the bad.”
Rodgers has refused to show up to the mandatory practices and may hold out through training camp. He has become frustrated with the team’s front office and “culture,” and some reports say he will not play another snap for the team.
It’s only one practice, but so far, Love doesn’t appear ready to take the reins if push comes to shove.