Green Bay Packers: Is Matt LaFleur capable of developing a quarterback?

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is off to a rough start in his first season as the starter.

There was hope he could carry on the legendary starting quarterback tradition after shining against the Chicago Bears in the season’s first game. He led an amazing comeback against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.

Outside of those two games, Love has not looked great.

He has struggled with being accurate, with a 55.6% completion percentage. He has thrown eight touchdowns to six interceptions.

Love had his worst game as the starter against the Las Vegas Raiders. Love completed 16 of 30 passes for 182 yards and three interceptions.

Love has been awful in the first half, with a 49.2% completion percentage. He has struggled to push the ball down the field. Drops have also been a problem for Packers receivers.

There were going to be some growing pains for Jordan Love this season, as he had started just one game before this year.

Love sat behind Aaron Rodgers for three seasons before finally getting a shot to be the guy. That used to be the traditional method, and it is the route the Packers like to go. After Week 1, it looked like letting a quarterback sit and develop was better than giving the starting job to a QB on day one.

Fast forward to the present, and that Packers victory over the Bears feels like a lifetime ago. It just shows there is no exact science in developing a quarterback.

Love is now at the point of his development where defenses are scheming to take away what he does well. In addition, the inaccuracy and drops by receivers are not helping Love get better.

The man charged with helping him develop is head coach and offensive play caller Matt LaFleur.

So far, LaFleur’s play calls have not helped Love to grow.

To his credit, LaFleur has admitted he has to do better for Love and the entire offense.

https://twitter.com/packers/status/1711619167277769070

Although, it’s worth consideration that LaFleur might not be capable of developing Love. It is not meant to be a slam on LaFleur’s play-calling ability. His early partnership with Aaron Rodgers showed he is good at calling plays.

He might be more like Sean McVay and less like Kyle Shanahan when it comes to developing quarterbacks. LaFleur is a disciple of both. Shanahan has done wonders with Brock Purdy. McVay struggled to develop Jared Goff, and they even reached a Super Bowl together.

McVay needed a partner to run his offense. Not a pupil. That is why the Los Angeles Rams traded Goff for Matthew Stafford and won the Super Bowl.

Maybe LaFleur needs a veteran who can run his offense to get to the Super Bowl finally. It would be even better if he had a veteran who does not go off-script or is averse to taking risks.

It is still early to write off Jordan Love or LaFleur’s ability to develop a QB1. If Love continues his downward trend, you cannot absolve LaFleur from failing him even if he might be incapable of making him successful.