The debate over Jordan Love’s supposed 2024 regression rages on, but analyst and former NFL quarterback Chris Simms believes several issues conspired to keep the Green Bay Packers passer from showing his genuine self.

Injuries, contract pressure, receiver drops and decision-making lapses – while Simms isn’t giving him a mulligan, these factors all helped suppress the “best version of Jordan Love.”

Green Bay Packers Got a Compromised Jordan Love Last Season

To be clear, Simms is of the belief that Love indeed suffered a setback last season, although the numbers don’t necessarily show it. Compared to his first year as a starter, Love put up a nearly identical passer rating and better figures in yards per play and QBR.

At the same time, bad habits became more glaring. Rather than shed them, he descended deeper into their snags and snarls, holding onto the ball too long, using improper footwork that impacted his accuracy.

That he still put up the numbers he did suggests 1) that panicking over a perceived “relapse” is probably an overreaction and 2) that Love owns a scary amount of raw talent, partially masking his flaws.

In year three, the key for Love and the Packers will be unlocking his legitimate potential for greatness.

Some of the things that contributed to last season’s disappointment were not under Love’s control; or, at the very least, such factors led to understandable outcomes. Injury issues were an obvious hindrance, knocking at the door in Week 1 and causing Love to miss the following two games.

“I think that really derailed him,” Simms said of those early injuries. There is a real possibility that Love was never fully healthy.

“He got a big contract, he wanted to get back on the field. I think he rushed himself back … way too quickly. Not getting to practice during the week, that didn’t help him. He’s a young guy. He needs those reps.”

Love Dealt with Complicated Set of Challenges

In Love’s absence, backup quarterback Malik Willis guided the team to a pair of wins. Pressure to retake the starting job may have motivated a hasty return, Simms said.

“I think he saw Malik Willis come in and do some good things, and he’s like, ‘Damn, that looked too good, I don’t like that. I’d like to get his a** back on the bench. Let me get back out there.’ So I think all those things played into a little bit of a step back there. Definitely wasn’t as sharp decision-making.”

That combination of obstacles kept Love in a cocoon. “I don’t know if I got to see the true Jordan Love really the whole year,” lamented Simms.

Still just 26, Love has time to mature. Injuries are of course part of the game, but a clean bill of health would certainly aid his development this season. He will also have to tackle the technical aspects of his game – time in the pocket, moving his feet the right way – and eradicate unhelpful tendencies.

One thing he should keep doing, though not recklessly or at the expense of smarter throws, is hunting the deep ball.

“He puts fear in defensive coordinators because he’s so aggressive and he’s got such an easy way of throwing the ball downfield and making explosive plays that it’s scary playing him.” Simms said he has heard coordinators express discomfort in dealing with Love “because he does look for the big play,” eschewing checkdowns in favor of chunk yards.

With a little luck and some corrective mechanical work, Love could break out of hiding and blossom into boss mode in 2025.

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