Packers' Love focused on improving: 'I can't control what's going on'
While Aaron Rodgers' future with the Green Bay Packers is certain after the reigning MVP signed a three-year extension in March, the same can't be said for third-year quarterback Jordan Love.
But Love, whom Green Bay drafted in the first round in 2020 as Rodgers' potential successor, is focused on improving his game rather than speculating over a potential trade.
"I am human," Love said, according to the Wisconsin State Journal's Jason Wilde. "And that stuff's going to be there, regardless. But I think I do a pretty good job at compartmentalizing it. I don't even want to think about that stuff.
"I can't control what's going on, I have no idea what might happen. So rather than stressing about things that might happen, things that might not happen, I'm just here right now. I'll take what I'm given and run with it."
Rodgers' new contract runs through the 2026 season and pays an NFL-high $50 million annually. Meanwhile, Love has two years remaining on his rookie deal, but Green Bay could gain an extra year of control with his fifth-year option.
Despite his record extension, Rodgers continues to acknowledge the end of his NFL career is close.
The 38-year-old recently said that he thinks about retirement "all the time." After a year of trade rumors due to a rift with the franchise, he also said he "definitely" wants to retire in Green Bay.
As a result, Love's career is left in limbo. The young signal-caller has made just one start and seen a handful of snaps in mop-up duty late in games, but he's struggled during that limited action.
With few potential trade destinations at this stage of the offseason and Rodgers' sudden retirement still a possibility after 2022, Love will most likely remain with the Packers for the immediate future.
"I definitely think I'm maxing out all the reps. Even the reps where I'm like, 'Ah, man. I wish I had done this, I wish I had done that,' I get to go back on film, watch it, and just be able to learn," Love said. "You learn more from your mistakes than from your successes. So to be able to have that time to grow and learn, I think, is huge.
"What it comes down to is I'm always confident in myself, but it's about being a lot more comfortable, relaxed, and being able to process things a lot faster. And that all ties into it. I definitely feel very confident in myself right now."
Copyright (C) 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.