Benkert ‘Excited’ To See Love ‘Unleash’ His Talent

Speaking on FanDuel’s ”Up and Adams,” former Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert discussed the potential of Jordan Love.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Aug 15, 2023 10:03 PM EDT

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GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers’ three-decade run of quarterbacking excellence could continue under Jordan Love, according to former teammate Kurt Benkert.

Appearing on FanDuel Sportsbook’s Up and Adams, the former Packers backup spoke in glowing terms about Love’s potential to lead the team into the future.

“You’re seeing the elements of his game develop,” Benkert told host Kay Adams. “I’ve been seeing a lot of people call him a game manager and that’s what he’s going to be, but that’s not it. He’s got a lot of talent. Once he gets starting reps under his belt that are with his team [and] with his offense – because the offense is going to look different – I think he’s going to do well.”

Love is +3500 to win NFL MVP at FanDuel Sportsbook. The Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes is the favorite at +600, with the Bengals’ Joe Burrow and Bills’ Josh Allen right behind at +700. In the NFC North, the Bears’ Justin Fields is +2000, the Lions’ Jared Goff is +3000 and the Vikings’ Kirk Cousins is +5000.

USATSI_16497608 — Jordan Love and Kurt Benkert in 2021 (Photo by Dan Powers/USA Today Sports Images)

While MVP-caliber greatness might be too much to expect in Season 1 as the starter, Benkert saw Love’s skill-set up close for a year.

“I would say his ability to change his arm angle on throws is pretty special,” Benkert said. “He’s a talented thrower. I’m just excited for him to unleash it on gameday when he’s not necessarily just having to follow the rules of the system – which he’s going to do; he’s going to do a really good job of it. I’m excited to see when he can put his spin on what that stuff looks like. I think it’s going to be really fun to watch. I hope it happens sooner rather than later.”

Benkert was impressed by Love’s preseason debut, which had him going 7-of-10 for 46 yards at Cincinnati. On the touchdown pass that he lofted to Romeo Doubs, a “younger Jordan might have tried to zip it in there.” Love played “on time” and his footwork – the starting point for any quarterback – was on point.

In replacing Aaron Rodgers, Love is leading an incredibly young passing game. The first-year starting quarterback will be leaning on second-year receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, rookie receiver Jayden Reed and rookie tight end Luke Musgrave.

“Christian’s crazy talented. He can do some things that guys around the league cannot do,” Benkert said. Speaking about Watson and Doubs atop the depth chart, he said: “Both of those guys have something special that other teams would really like to have. They’re just young and inexperienced.”