The performance looked different on the field, and it also felt different in the huddle.
According to Allen Lazard, there’s a “different feel” with Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love in 2022 compared to 2021, and the development manifested on the field during his performance against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12.
“When he came into that Eagles game, that last drive or two or whatever it was, it was just a different feel in the huddle than it was in the Chiefs game a year ago given the situation and everything. He’s grown tremendously on and off the field, and I’m excited to see him continue to grow,” Lazard told FOX Sports this week.
Against the Eagles, Love completed six of nine passes for 113 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown to Christian Watson. He led the Packers to 10 points on two drives and nearly got Green Bay back into the game against the team with the NFL’s best record.
Back in 2021, Love made an emergency start in place of Aaron Rodgers but threw for only 190 yards on 34 attempts as the Packers lost to the Chiefs 13-7 in Kansas City.
By all accounts, Love has taken a sizable step forward in his third NFL season, potentially putting himself into a position to start in Green Bay or elsewhere by next season.
For Lazard, the difference with Love is in consistency and confidence.
“This year, coming into the camp, it’s been a whole new Jordan Love,” Lazard said. “The first two years, you saw the foundation, you saw the athleticism, you saw the skill set and everything, but there was kind of an inconsistency I feel like. And I think that’s something he would say as well, throughout practices and the preseason games and camp and all that stuff. But this year, you just see the confidence, you just see the poise, you hear it in his voice in the huddle.”
Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said everything looked “smooth” for Love in Philadelphia. Quarterbacks coach Tom Clements believes the game has “slowed down” for Love because of his fundamental development.
“His footwork, rhythm and getting the ball off on time is where he’s gotten a lot better,” Clements said.
