As the NFC North prepares for the upcoming NFL season, ESPN has put forth a striking prediction that Jordan Love will emerge as the best NFC North quarterback. Despite the Green Bay Packers’ challenging 0-4 record against divisional rivals Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings last year, Love’s performance signals potential growth for the team and himself heading into his third year as a starter.
Mike Tannenbaum Predicts Jordan Love Will Lead NFC North Quarterbacks
During a recent ESPN SportsCenter segment, NFL analyst Mike Tannenbaum confidently stated,
“Jordan Love is going to be the best quarterback in the NFC North,”
setting a high expectation for the 26-year-old signal-caller. Tannenbaum’s endorsement ranks Love above competitors such as Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears, Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions, and J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings.
Tannenbaum acknowledged Williams’ solid yet inconsistent season with the Bears, noting that Ben Johnson’s recent appointment as Chicago’s head coach could signal positive changes for the franchise. However, the focus remained on Love, who benefits from Green Bay’s recent draft strategy.
Green Bay’s selection of Matthew Golden with the 23rd overall pick marks the first time the Packers drafted a wide receiver in the first round since 2002. Tannenbaum praised this choice and highlighted Love’s strengths:
“Jordan Love doesn’t get sacked, he can get the ball downfield, and if he can cut back on some of these off throws and interceptions, he’ll be the best quarterback, this year, in the NFC North.”
Additional Perspectives on Love’s Potential as NFC North’s Top QB
ESPN contributor Courtney Cronion supported the optimistic outlook but noted concerns about Love’s recent performance. Despite his injury struggles in 2024, Love managed to appear in 15 games. Cronion referred to Love’s previous season as somewhat regressive, a term both Love and Packers’ coach Matt LaFleur avoid using to describe his play. She emphasized improvements surrounding Love this year, including an enhanced receiving corps and offensive line upgrades.
“Same offense, same play-caller, upgraded pass catchers. You’re probably not going to see the receivers drop the ball 25 times next season. You have an All-Pro running back in your backfield and an offensive line that improved in the interior,”
Cronion observed.
She added encouragement for Love’s development, stating,
“Jordan Love has all of the tools to be the best quarterback in the NFC, and he’s gotta be. He just got paid. It’s time for him to take that tea, drink it, and do something with it.”
Despite being ranked lower than other players like Travis Hunter on a Top 100 list, Love remains focused, undeterred by outside criticism. Analysts attribute many of his past mistakes to drops by receivers or the impact of playing through injury rather than deficiencies in his talent.
Outlooks for the NFC North Teams for the Upcoming Season
Aside from Green Bay, the division features strong contenders. The Detroit Lions ended 2024 with a commanding 15-2 record but suffered a surprising first-round playoff loss to the Washington Commanders in Detroit, 45-31. Even so, Tannenbaum considers Detroit the strongest team in the division and predicts they will compete in Super Bowl LX, a claim that adds pressure for validation as the season unfolds.
The Packers will initiate their campaign at Lambeau Field hosting the Lions, their fiercest rivals. The teams will face each other once more later in the year on Thanksgiving, November 27, giving Love and Green Bay another high-stakes opportunity to assert dominance in the division.
This season marks a pivotal moment for Jordan Love and the Packers as they contend to overcome past weaknesses and capitalize on roster improvements. Should Love deliver on ESPN’s predictions, he could redefine the quarterback hierarchy within the NFC North and position Green Bay for renewed playoff success.