First look at Love as QB1 during OTAs
GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- The attention was set on Packers quarterback Jordan Love at OTAs Tuesday.
It marked day two of practice but the first open to media, meaning it was the first chance to see what the 2023 team will look like under Love.
Love is no stranger to taking the first-team reps at OTAs, as Aaron Rodgers was not in attendance the last two seasons. But Love admitted it is a different feeling now that he is officially the starting quarterback.
"It definitely feels different just being the guy," Love said. "Kind of not looking over your shoulder, controlling your own way."
"He had this time last year and we started seeing him making that jump," running back Aaron Jones said. "It led into camp and the season so this time is big. These are huge reps."
"Jordan, he's just calm. He's a calm, cool guy," said safety Darnell Savage. "We jaw back and forth at him a little bit, he jaws back at us. It's just good to see him with that confidence. I know he's eager and excited just as all of us are."
OTAs are the next important step in the process as the Packers offense undergoes this transition, not just with Love but with the youth surrounding him.
Patience will be key as the offense works to gel.
"This is our first week practicing, starting live practicing against the defense," Love said. "It's not perfect right now and we know it's not going to be perfect. The meter for us is just continue building."
"Trying to be super intentional with what we ask him to do and we got to see what everybody else can do around him as well," head coach Matt LaFleur said. "It's going to be a work in progress no doubt about it throughout the course of OTAs and training camp and quite frankly through the course of the season."
Tuesday's practice focused on red zone. There were some ups and downs, which LaFleur said is expected.
"There was a lot of good things and certainly a lot to clean up," LaFleur said. "You're throwing your concepts out there and trying to get a feel for how the guys can manage the bad looks, and can they execute the really good looks," LaFleur said.
Love and the offense did end on a high note, as he threw touchdowns to second-year receivers Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure.
Love said after practice that this is the time to make mistakes and push boundaries as they go through this process and learn what's best.
"This is the time to do that," Love said. "We love when we can capitalize, score touchdowns things like that but just don't get down on ourselves if the play's not perfect, goes off schedule or things don't work out as we want."
With the change comes challenges, but it also brings a new energy. That was evident at day two of OTAs.
"I'm excited to be out there, being the guy," Love said. "Excited to be around these guys and get a chance to get more reps and start building that chemistry with everybody."
The next Packers media availability for OTAs is next week Wednesday.
