Work hard until your idols become your rivals! These words fit perfectly with the Packers’ QB Jordan Love and their former star, Aaron Rodgers. While A-Rod didn’t get a warm welcome from Packers legend Brett Favre, he never tried to block the development of his juniors. He always helped Jordan Love. Just last year, the Utah State player showed love for the veteran and showered praise. Now that the Super Bowl winner is hinting at his retirement, the young player got emotional.
He appeared on the April 17 episode of The Rich Eisen Show. When the host asked about the potential Steelers QB in the coming season, he said, “I would love to get the opportunity to play against A-Rod, having a guy that mentored me in the league was someone I got to be a backup behind. To be able to get the opportunity to play against him and be on the other side of him — it would be special, it would be cool.” It is definitely a game that fans will love to see. Love wants him to join them. But A-Rod is not ready yet. He has not committed to the Steelers.
The NFL insiders claim that the Steelers and Packers could battle in an international game in Dublin, Ireland. Both these players have a special relationship. Ever since coming to the NY Jets in 2023, Aaron Rodgers has had a turbulent time. After missing out on the entirety of 2023 due to injury, he couldn’t take them to the playoffs last year. Meanwhile, Jordan Love has taken the Packers to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Yet, when the mentor and mentee face off against each other, the ratings will skyrocket.
“We have a good relationship, and like you said, the comparisons are always going to happen,” Love said in the off-season last year. It’s clear he wants the SB winner to play one more season. But the injuries and high hopes could play a spoilsport. A-rod wants to play for the Vikings, who have settled on JJ McCarthy to start for them. Things are complicated.
Most positional charts will get sorted after the draft. The Packers are more concerned about strengthening their defensive positions.
Jordan Love needs a key player in the locker room
The Packers always had high hopes for the cornerback Jaire Alexander ever since drafting him in the first round (18th overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft. 5 years later, they signed an extension in 2022 for a 4-year $84 million deal, with $30 million guaranteed, till 2026. But the owners want to move on from the Louisville product.
The last two seasons have forced the team to look for his replacement. In 2023 and 2024, he played 14 games (all starters) and recorded 2 interceptions, 12 defended passes, and 43 tackles (38 solo). But Jordan Love had no doubts and praised his teammate on the Up & Adams Show.
The QB said, “He’s definitely a player we need back. We’ll let him handle his business. That’s my guy right there. He’s a guy we need around.” The quarterback also praised his energy in the locker room. In 7 seasons in the league, Alexander has been selected twice for the Pro Bowl.
The Packers want to win the Super Bowl this year. The Eagles decimated them on their way to hoisting the Lombardi last year. They want to turn around their fate in the coming season. It will be worth watching if there’s a highlight game in Dublin along the way.