Jordan Love was selected 26th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers in one of the more surprising draft decisions this decade. The franchise already had Aaron Rodgers under center and was coming off a season in which he led them to a 13-3 record and an NFC Championship Game appearance.
Replacing Achievement-Stacked Aaron Rodgers in the Packers
The future Pro Football Hall of Famer also had a good year from an individual standpoint in 2019. Rodgers threw for 4,002 yards, 26 touchdowns, and just four interceptions while completing 62.0% of his pass attempts and adding 183 rushing yards and one touchdown on 46 carries.
While Rodgers was 36 years old, he had shown no signs of slowing down, and it appeared that the Packers would add a piece that could help him chase a second Super Bowl.
The superstar quarterback responded with back-to-back MVP seasons; however, the damage to his relationship with the organization had been done. Rodgers and Green Bay were surrounded by drama for the remainder of his tenure with the franchise.
Meanwhile, Love had to wait three full seasons before his predecessor was traded to the New York Jets, and he was allowed to become a full-time starter.
He has proven the front office right in their decision to draft him, as he has become one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Love recently reflected on the franchise’s decision to draft him over five years ago.
Jordan Love Reflects on Being Drafted By the Packers
Love reflected on his journey to where he is today in a piece for “The Players’ Tribune”. He discussed his reaction to being selected by the Packers, writing:
“It’s funny, for years, it felt like all anybody ever asked me about was draft night. I felt like nobody really cared about my actual story, because I was so tied to the whole meme of that night. Look, I’ll be real with you – I was just as shocked as anybody that I ended up here,” Love said.
He then detailed the incident, saying, “I was sitting on that couch on draft night, watching the end of Round 1, thinking there was no way that anybody left on the board was taking a QB… I think I basically blacked out for 24 hours. The main thing I can remember is my whole family going crazy, and this euphoria of like… ‘Damn, we actually did it!'”
🚨 THE PICK IS IN 🚨
With the 26th pick in the 2020 #NFLDraft, the #Packers select Utah State QB Jordan Love. #PackersDraft | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/8Ony2eyzjD
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 24, 2020
The decision shocked the NFL world, and it is clear that Love was just as shocked. He has responded to Rodgers’ departure by establishing himself as the team’s next franchise quarterback.
Read More: Packers Star Jordan Love Reveals He ‘Wanted To Quit Football’ After Death of His Father, Orbin Love
Love has led the Packers to back-to-back postseason appearances. He has thrown for 8,154 yards, 60 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions, while adding 356 rushing yards and five touchdowns on carries.
