Jets' Aaron Rodgers preaches patience regarding Packers' Jordan Love

Injured New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers spent three seasons as a mentor for current Green Bay Packers starter Jordan Love. Rodgers spoke during a Tuesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" about Love's improved play over the second half of the ongoing campaign. 

"He’s playing, especially the last three games, outstanding," Rodgers said about Love, as shared by Madison Williams of Sports Illustrated. "But, he’s in his first year starting. As well as he’s playing, can we not crown him right now? For his own sake. Because, we shouldn’t do that to kids. We shouldn’t crown them, and we shouldn’t cancel them. I love Jordan and I think he’s gonna be a great player in the league for a long time, but can we let him play his career?" 

Fans and analysts questioned in early November if Love had a long-term future with the Packers when they sat at 2-5. The 25-year-old who signed a contract extension that runs through the 2024 campaign this past offseason then guided Green Bay to four wins in five games, including three straight victories. Most recently, Love completed 25-of-36 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns in this past Sunday's 27-19 home win over the Kansas City Chiefs. 

According to ESPN stats, Love ended Week 13 ranked 14th in the league with a 58.4 adjusted QBR on the season. He's tied for fifth with 22 passing touchdowns, but he's also 29th with a 61.3% completion percentage. 

One reason Rodgers didn't finish his career with the Packers is that those running the club wanted to play Love following the 2022 campaign. Despite that, Rodgers insisted Tuesday he holds no hard feelings toward his former employer. 

"There’s some people who probably think I was rooting against the Packers this year because of Jordan -- couldn’t be farther from the truth," Rodgers added. "I’m not a bitter person about that. Obviously, I wish things had gone different when I was in Green Bay, and there’s things I wish I had done better, but I have so much love for that organization." 

The Packers next play at a 4-8 New York Giants side that will start undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito at quarterback this coming Monday night. As of Tuesday afternoon, oddschecker listed Green Bay as a 6.5-point favorite for that matchup.