Could Jordan Love’s Surprising Rise Make Him NFL’s Next Big Award Winner?

Here we are again, stuck at this peculiar crossroads where promise meets hesitation — the Green Bay Packers stand just a whisker away from real momentum, but the question lingers: can Jordan Love be the spark that sets this team ablaze? It’s a curious puzzle, isn’t it? Love’s stats shout potential — an 80.9 PFF passing grade, sitting comfortably among the elite — yet there’s this nagging sense that something’s holding him back. Is it the cautious play-calling from Matt LaFleur, gripping the reins a little too tightly? Or is this a quarterback still shaking off the jitters in big moments, trying not to let his penchant for daring—or, let’s call it, hero-ball—undermine his growth? The offensive line’s struggles don’t help, making every snap a pressure cooker, while the team’s predictable plays seem to tip their hand before it’s even laid down. Now, with LaFleur’s job possibly on the line and playoff hopes dangling tantalizingly close, maybe it’s time to unleash Love—not just for the Packers’ sake but to see if this young QB can finally climb into MVP territory and lead his team out of the wilderness. Who knows? Maybe the next few weeks will be the stage where Love steps up and surprises us all. Or will the Packers remain stuck in limbo, still searching for the magic formula? Only time and a little bit of guts will tell.

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 10: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter in the game at Lambeau Field on November 10, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. — (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The Green Bay Packers have to straighten the course of the ship. For that to happen, they may need to trust Jordan Love more.

The numbers certainly back up that case. As pointed out by Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus, Love should be considered among the top MVP candidates if the Packers get it together:

“Love has been a bit of a hot-and-cold player during his three-year reign as Green Bay’s starting quarterback. Yet, he’s been a bit more consistent this season, producing an 80.9 PFF passing grade with a 5.0% big-time throw rate — both of which are in the top six for qualified quarterbacks. Even then, he’s reverted a bit lately, with 62.0 passing marks or lower in two of his last three games sandwiching a 79.5 effort against the Steelers in Week 8. Now 5-3-1, the Packers have a 73% chance to make the playoffs. Still, Green Bay would probably need to a) win the NFC North and b) garner a top-two seed for Love to firmly enter MVP conversations. Then again, Toyotathon is yet to go into effect — maybe Love will kick things up a gear to really join the fray,” Locker wrote.

There are two narratives surrounding Love, Matt LaFleur, and the Packers right now. Some believe that the head coach’s overly conservative play-calling is holding the quarterback back, whereas others claim that LaFleur is trying to game-plan around his limitations.

Truth be told, this might be another ‘yes, and’ case. Both statements can be true to a degree.

It’s not a secret that Love has fallen short in big moments, and his worrisome tendency to play hero ball and put the ball in harm’s way hurt the team multiple times. On the other hand, he’s played efficient football and looks much poised and mature this season, and his head coach has refused to take the training wheels off in recent weeks.

The Packers’ offensive line can’t run-block to save their lives right now. As good a player as Josh Jacobs is, he’s constantly getting hit behind the line of scrimmage, and the team’s predictable play-calling has the opposing team literally calling the play.

LaFleur might be coaching for his job for the remainder of the season. And the best way to save his job and also give his quarterback a shot at MVP will be to finally unleash him.

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