As the Green Bay Packers approach the 2025 NFL season, mounting questions surround Jordan Love’s role as the starting quarterback. After a promising end to his rookie season, Love’s output regressed significantly in 2024, raising concerns about his future with the team. With head coach Matt LaFleur contemplating whether to maintain his current offensive foundation or initiate a quarterback change, this season could determine the trajectory for both Love and the Packers’ offense.
Love’s debut as Green Bay’s full-time QB began with ups and downs, but he impressed late in the 2023 season with flashes of arm strength and composure that had analysts labeling him as a potential franchise cornerstone. However, his momentum stalled in 2024. Despite leading the team to the playoffs, Love’s statistics revealed troubling trends: his big-time throw rate decreased from 5.6% to 3.5%, while his interception rate climbed from 1.9% to 2.6%. These numbers reflect a quarterback who struggles with consistency, a problematic factor for a team vying for championships.
Alternative Quarterback Options and Offensive Adjustments
In response to Love’s inconsistency, LaFleur has started considering alternatives at quarterback. The team’s decision to acquire Malik Willis last August, using a seventh-round pick, indicates a willingness to explore new options. Willis was thrust onto the field less than three weeks after joining the team, prompting LaFleur to swiftly adopt a run-heavy offensive scheme centered on motion and misdirection to accommodate the new quarterback.
Referring to that period, LaFleur said,
“There were definitely some wrinkles added,”
followed by this acknowledgment,
“You have to give credit to [offensive coordinator] Adam Stenavich and all our coaches… using our receivers in the running game, our tight ends blocking their butts off.”
These tactical shifts, while not always successful, laid a foundation for offensive versatility and demonstrated the staff’s capacity for adaptation.
Now with a full offseason and preparation, Willis is more than a temporary fill-in. Although he is not currently challenging Love for the starting role, his unique rushing ability adds a dynamic element that Love has yet to offer. Willis’ athleticism could allow the Packers to diversify their offense, which is critical as Love’s passing efficiency struggled last year, completing just 57% of true dropback passes with an equal number of touchdowns and interceptions (15 each). His statistical rankings among starting quarterbacks—26th in completion percentage, 27th in passer rating, and last in touchdown-to-interception ratio—highlight the severity of the concerns surrounding his development.
The Weight of Contract Talks and Organizational Expectations
Matt LaFleur begins the 2025 season with a multi-year contract, but the extension discussions have been paused, underscoring the performance pressures tied to this year’s results. Packers president Ed Policy made it clear that no contract decisions involving LaFleur, general manager Brian Gutekunst, or football operations executive Russ Ball would occur during this season.
“All three of them [are] under multi-year contracts,”
Policy stated,
“None of them are up at the end of this year. We won’t be doing anything going into this season.”
This cautious stance speaks volumes about the organization’s desire to see tangible postseason success before committing to the leadership. While LaFleur’s overall regular-season record (70-38 since 2019) signifies strong performance, the Packers’ playoff results have been disappointing. Green Bay has lost five of eight playoff games under his coaching, including two defeats in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/nfc/”>NFC Championship, and last season’s decline in Jordan Love’s play amplified doubts about the team’s offensive effectiveness when it matters most.
The 2024 season also revealed deeper issues beyond the quarterback position. The team’s offensive identity seemed unsettled as the development of key players slowed, leaving crucial questions about the team’s direction. Although LaFleur’s creativity is respected, this year demands clear, postseason-ready results if he is to maintain his job security.
Supporting Cast and Future Prospects on Offense
The Packers are fortunate to have a talented receiving group led by Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks, who all showed capability to make impactful plays. This receiving core has the potential to elevate either Love or Willis, whichever quarterback eventually gains the starting nod. Additionally, the coaching staff’s confidence in Malik Willis allows Green Bay to consider situational plays that capitalize on his rushing skills.
With these offensive weapons, the expectation for a cohesive and effective offense is higher than ever. Player development is no longer secondary; it is now a critical barometer by which the coaching staff’s success will be measured. LaFleur’s 2025 campaign may either reaffirm his position as the architect of the Packers’ future or position him as a transitional figure ahead of a potential new era.
2025: A Pivotal Year for Jordan Love and the Packers Franchise
The upcoming season marks a pivotal moment for Jordan Love’s career with the Packers. His ability to regain consistency and demonstrate leadership will heavily influence the team’s commitment to him as their franchise quarterback. Simultaneously, Matt LaFleur’s decisions on personnel and offensive design carry significant weight in shaping Green Bay’s competitive prospects.
Should Love’s struggles continue, the organizational inclination to explore a quarterback change, possibly with Malik Willis, will only intensify. This strategic uncertainty, combined with contract stalls and internal evaluations, creates an intense backdrop for the Packers’ 2025 campaign. How Green Bay navigates this season could define its direction for years and determine whether the current leadership remains or a new path is charted.