Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Jordan Love‘s sophomore season as the Green Bay Packers’ starting quarterback was filled with adversity. He sprained his MCL in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, forcing him to miss the next two games and Matt LaFleur to adapt his playbook. Love returned for an NFC North showdown with the Minnesota Vikings, where Minnesota pressured him 25 times, and he threw three interceptions.
In Week 8, he suffered a groin injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars, further limiting his mobility. He played through it in a 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions before Green Bay entered the bye at 6-3, and Love had thrown an interception in each of his first seven starts. However, after the bye, Love only threw one interception in his final eight starts before the Eagles picked him off three times in the Wild Card round.
Love’s season had steep lows, but he also delivered plays that will be on his highlight reel for years. So, I asked two smart guys what they thought was his signature play of 2024.
Wendell Ferreira is a seasoned journalist covering the Packers and the NFL for A to Z Sports. Before that, he covered Green Bay for Zone Coverage. To him, Love’s 44-yard touchdown pass to Christian Watson perfectly captured what worked for the Packers’ offense in 2024.
Jordan Love didn’t have as many unforgettable throws in 2024 as he had in his first year as a starter, but this touchdown throw to Christian Watson against the Arizona Cardinals represented what went well for the Packers’ offense this past season. As a pound-and-bomb unit, it was truly explosive when it worked. And the Cardinals game was one of the highest points of that style.
Sometimes, Love and Watson had a tough time connecting. But when it happens, it’s beautiful to watch.
Ricardo Gonçalves is a Brazilian draft analyst known for his in-depth evaluations of college prospects, but he also enjoys sharing his insights on the Packers. To him, Love’s 53-yard pass to Jayden Reed against the Los Angeles Rams was the perfect example of what defines the QB’s young career.
It’s the aggressiveness — even to the point of recklessness at times — that stands out in some of his throws. Once again using play action, Love took a risk and found Jayden Reed deep against triple coverage, fitting the ball into an improbable window on a read that arguably shouldn’t have been his first option. Reed showed great concentration and made a spectacular catch, but Love’s natural arm talent was on full display. His throw had both power and precise placement — an area where he has shown noticeable improvement.
However, at other points in the season, similar high-risk throws resulted in turnovers, forcing the team to pay the price. Love can’t afford to lose his aggressive mindset — it’s an inherent part of his game — but the challenge is finding the right balance. He needs to limit bad reads and questionable decisions while maximizing the advantages his natural arm talent and off-platform throwing ability provide.
My pick for Love’s signature play of the year is the same as Ricardo’s — not just because it represents who Love is as a player but also because of how Green Bay executed it. The Packers ran this play from under center, which is where their offense operated at its best two years ago. Love faked the handoff to Josh Jacobs and launched the ball downfield to Jayden Reed.
It was an incredible throw that showcased Love’s arm talent, but the decision-making behind it was questionable. Reed was triple-covered, and that pass gets intercepted in 99 out of 100 times. Still, it was a splashy play from a concept that is a cornerstone of LaFleur’s offense.
“I got a zero on the grade sheet for the decision there,” Love admitted days after the game. “I knew it was going to happen after going on the sideline. It worked out. It wasn’t a great decision. It worked out, but you can’t rely on that working out all the time. We are glad it worked and learn and grow from it, but not a great decision.”
He was then asked if he would take the same shot again. “No, I wouldn’t,” Love responded, “but like I said, I’m glad it worked out the way it did.”
Love’s own words sum it up perfectly. The play was a highlight, but the process behind it was flawed. It showcased his ability to make special throws and the risks that sometimes come with his aggressiveness.
A healthy Jordan Love should unlock more under-center concepts in Matt LaFleur’s offense, allowing the team to maximize its efficiency. He should also feel more confident navigating and stepping out of the pocket, an area where injuries limited him in 2024. Despite facing adversity, Love didn’t regress last season, and Packers fans can expect plenty more highlight plays from their $55-million man in the years to come.