#GoPackGo📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/BArevnhjYs From that point on, LaFleur knew what he had in Love: a quarterback who not only studied the game but also had the confidence to back up his decisions with sound reasoning. “Whether I did or not, he’s the one pulling the trigger,” LaFleur said. “If he feels confident in it, then I’m going to let it ride.” Love’s Journey to the Starting Role LaFleur’s trust in Love didn’t happen overnight. It was 3 ½ years in the making, as Love spent his first three NFL seasons learning behind future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. Drafted as the No. 26 pick in 2020, Love listened intently in meetings and absorbed everything he could, even though he didn’t get many opportunities to showcase his skills early on. When Love finally got his chance to start in 2021 due to Rodgers testing positive for COVID-19, the results were less than stellar. The Chiefs blitzed him relentlessly, and Love completed just 6 of 17 passes for 30 yards against the blitz. But fast forward two years, and Love had clearly learned from that experience. In a 2023 rematch against Kansas City, he shredded their blitzes, completing 10 of 13 passes for three touchdowns in a 27-19 win over the eventual Super Bowl champions. Since becoming the full-time starter, Love has completed 62% of his passes against blitzes, with 17 touchdowns (tied for sixth most in the NFL against the blitz since the start of the 2023 season) and six interceptions, according to ESPN Research. It’s a testament to his growth and ability to adapt. Leadership and Preparation Love’s leadership style is another key factor in his success. Unlike Rodgers, who was known for his fiery demeanor, Love takes a more measured approach. Center Josh Myers, one of Love’s closest friends on the team, said he’s never seen Love chew out a teammate, even behind closed doors. “He was doing stuff not typical of a first-year starting quarterback last year,” Myers said. “He was making protection calls, changing protections at the line of scrimmage, in ways that a first-year starter just doesn’t do.” Love’s preparation is meticulous. On Tuesdays, when players typically have the day off, Love studies film and makes notes of plays he sees other teams running that might work for the Packers. He then sends those suggestions to LaFleur and his staff. While not all of his ideas make it into the game plan, some do—like a 25-yard pass to Watson in a Week 11 win over Chicago. What’s Next for Love? As the Packers (9-3) prepare to face the first-place Lions (11-1) at Ford Field on Thursday night, Love has continued to prove he’s the right man for the job. His 18-touchdown, one-interception finish to the 2023 regular season solidified his status as the team’s franchise quarterback, and his four-year, $220 million contract extension signed in July is a reflection of the team’s confidence in him. While some might argue that Love still has room to grow before he’s considered one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, moments like the Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions suggest he’s well on his way. “That was a big one,” Myers said. “I think that was right around the start where [the Packers] were really starting to take off. I think that launched us in the right direction.” For Love, the journey is far from over, but the foundation has been set. And as LaFleur put it, “He’s become one of the best that I’ve been around at handling all the protection stuff that we put on him. It’s pretty remarkable.”