With the Green Bay Packers locked into the seventh seed and preparing for another postseason run, the team is using Week 18 to prioritize rest and health ahead of the playoffs. Their regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings offers a chance to manage workloads rather than chase standings, allowing coaches to control snaps, protect key starters, and avoid unnecessary risk in a game that will not change their position.
All Eyes on Jordan Love as Packers Set Week 18 Plan
That plan includes quarterback Jordan Love, who cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the Week 16 loss to the Chicago Bears. Despite being medically cleared and returning to practice, the Packers announced Thursday that he will not play Sunday unless the team faces an absolute emergency at quarterback, signaling a cautious approach with their franchise passer.
Clayton Tune, now in his third NFL season after spending his first two years with the Arizona Cardinals, will start for Green Bay. Malik Willis, who has been dealing with an injury of his own, also will not play. The team recently signed veteran Desmond Ridder to the practice squad, and he could be elevated to serve as the No. 2 option behind Tune, giving Green Bay another experienced insurance policy if needed.
Love’s absence comes in the midst of a standout season in which he has emerged as one of the league’s most efficient quarterbacks. His PFSN QB Impact score of 87.4 ranks fourth in the NFL, trailing only Brock Purdy, Drake Maye, and Josh Allen. Green Bay’s offense as a whole has been among the league’s most productive, carrying a PFSN Offense Impact score of 83.5, seventh-best in the league.
The decision to rest Love underscores how much the Packers value his long‑term outlook as they prepare for a challenging postseason path. Green Bay will open the playoffs on the road, and preserving the health of their most important players has taken priority over any potential momentum gained from playing starters in Week 18, especially at a position as critical as quarterback.
Tune’s start also allows the Packers to evaluate their depth behind Love, something the team has not been able to do extensively during the regular season. Ridder’s arrival adds another layer of experience to the room as the Packers look to stabilize their quarterback contingency plan heading into January and ensure they are not caught unprepared if injuries strike.
Green Bay’s approach reflects a broader organizational philosophy centered on sustainability, health and maximizing their chances once the postseason begins. For a team built around a rising quarterback and a surging offense, the message is clear: protect the foundation now, and let January tell the rest of the story.
