Packers' Jordan Love Says His 'Oh S--t Moment' Was Filling in For Rodgers vs. Chiefs

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love called his first career start against the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2021 season his "oh s--t moment" in an article on the Players' Tribune.

Love entered his rookie year as Green Bay's backup behind Aaron Rodgers, but was thrust into a starting role once Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Week 9.

"It’s all good when you’re kicked back in the film room," Love wrote. "You’re the smartest dude in the world when it’s all on a screen. Then you’re out there for real, breaking the huddle at Arrowhead, and you got Honey Badger lurking around the secondary, mixing up the looks, and they’re running Cover 0 every play until you prove to them that you can figure it out. You’re doing the earmuffs, trying to get the plays from the sideline, and the crowd is going crazy, and you got 10 guys looking you dead in the eyes like, 'Alright, what’s the plan?'"

"Man, I was swimming, I can’t lie," he added. "I remember the first drive, I’m at the line trying to call out checks at the top of my lungs, and I realize it’s so loud that I can’t even hear myself screaming."

Love finished 19-of-34 for 190 yards and one touchdown to go along with an interception, as the Packers ultimately suffered a 13-7 defeat.

It's understandable that he struggled to adjust while facing a Chiefs squad that was coming off a Super Bowl appearance the prior season and would go on to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in each of the next two years.

Love has looked much more comfortable since replacing Rogers under center ahead of the 2023 season, completing 63.7 percent of his throws and averaging 235.9 yards per game as a full-time starter. He's also tossed 57 touchdowns compared to 22 interceptions over that span.

The Packers have made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons with Love leading the way and are looking to build upon an 11-6 finish in 2024.