Manifesting History: Can the Green Bay Packers have 3 straight HOF quarterbacks?

Everyone outside of the Packer fandom knows the likelihood of Green Bay having back-to-back-to-back hall of fame quarterbacks is slim to none. Packer fans themselves also do not think this will happen but we do allow that little voice to say, “Why not let the greatest franchise in history have a precedent setting 3 straight HOF QB’s?” Now, we can never express or acknowledge that we are even thinking about such a potential historic run out loud but if the chance for history is somehow going to come true the following 5 things must happen:

1. The Matt Lafleur offense is unveiled:

47-19 is Matt Lafleur’s record with the Packers in his last 4 seasons. He has a winning percentage of over 70% in the playoffs but only a 40% winning percentage in the playoffs. In his 2 best years, led by the former Packer QB back to back MVP Aaron Rodgers, the Packer offense in 2020 produced 6,224 total yards, 66 touchdowns, and scored 509 points. In 2021 the offense amassed 6,215 total yards, 54 touchdowns, and scored 450 points. While those two years were MVP years for Rodgers, people also marveled at the offensive play calling. The offense was spreading the field, the run game was effective, backs catching passes, jet motion (Tyler Ervin-2020), and creativity was abundant. In 2022 the offense seemed stagnant, looking more like that of the last years of McCarthy. Matt Lafleur, who has a history of adapting offenses to his personnel, must revamp this offense based around his new skill position players including the 2 new tight ends and a new slot receiver.

2. The running game:

Looking back at the offensive statistics from 2020 and 2021 the Packers running game was ranked in the top half of the NFL coming in at 8th place in 2020. During that season Aaron Jones led the team in rushing with 1,104 yards. Since 2019 Jones has averaged over 5 yards a carry, scored 43 touchdowns, and has 242 receptions. Whether it was Lafleur or Rodgers that were guilty of going away from Jones last year there can be no excuse for not utilizing him this season. AJ Dillon has thus far averaged over 4 yards per carry in his Packer career and has proven himself a capable receiver as well. As the temperature turns frigid the Packers must also rely on AJ and will hopefully let him run downhill with Love behind center. Speaking of Love, the running game also has to utilize him as a dual threat.

3. The offensive line:

The offensive line is one of the most experienced groups on the 2023 Green Bay Packers roster. The veteran of the group is led by the PFF #3 ranked David Bakhtiari. After battling back from a multi-year injury and playing 597 snaps in 2022 Bakhtiari did not give up a QB hit or sack and was one of the best tackles in the league. Along with Bakhtiari, the Packers return all 13 of their offensive linemen. Elgton Jenkins also showed during the second half of the season that he is a potential all pro lineman. The return of Meyers, Runyan, and Nijman should bode well for the Packer offense and give Jordan Love a chance to succeed. If the line struggled like it did against Detroit look for Jones; Tom, Rhyan, or Newman or another player will hopefully step up. A strong offensive line can help stabilize a young quarterback but a weak offensive line can end the career for an inexperienced quarterback.

4. The receiving corp:

The success of this upcoming season and the hope of Love becoming great rests mainly on the performance of the Packers last 2 drafts of receivers and tight ends. Led by the 24 year old Christian Watson who is now the top receiver from last year. With 41 catches and 9 touchdowns in an injured rookie season, the future looks bright. Add in Romeo Doubs and Samori Touri, the youth movement appeared capable last year. The Packers not only added to the wide receiver position (Reed, Wicks, etc.) but also addressed the room by drafting Musgrave and Kraft as potential tight end starters. One only has to look at super bowl champion Patrick Mahomes and his reliance on the tight end position to realize how important that is for a young quarterback. It will be a lot to ask for Reed, Musgrave, and Kraft to step up immediately and make this offense dynamic but Love will need them in order to achieve success. What is most interesting is that between Love and the receiving corps, no one is over 25 years old. If Love can ever achieve the level of success that his predecessors did he and this group will have to continue to develop together.

5. Jordan Love:

Obviously a hall of fame quarterback must possess the talent, knowledge, and feel for the game to achieve greatness. With Jordan Love we have seen glimpses of the arm talent and the ability to move in and out of the pocket but we have never seen a full season of it on the field. Jordan appears to have the maturity and the temperament to be QB1 but we will have to find out just how well he can operate the offense. Will we see the flashes of greatness like we did during his junior year in college and in the Philly game? Or will we see the struggles we saw in his senior season and in his start against Kansas City? The first year of Love with a better Lafleur offense, utilizing the run game behind a veteran offensive line, and a young talented receiving corps, will set the stage for the future of the new Packers quarterback. Ultimately it comes down to Jordan himself and how much he has learned and improved over these past 3 years.

One thing that I did learn in following Rodgers' “beautiful mystery” was how much the old Packers quarterback believed in manifesting success. So Packer fans let us all manifest the possibility of a third straight Hall of Fame QB in Green Bay. With a little help from Lafleur, the running backs, offensive line, and a young receiving corps, Jordan Love will achieve greatness! Whether you believe it or not, this upcoming season will go a long way in determining future success for Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers.