The Green Bay Packers had a solid but disappointing season, finishing with a playoff spot but struggling in their division with a 1-5 record. Their season included two losses to the eventual Super Bowl champion, the Philadelphia Eagles, which left the team competitive but unable to win crucial games when it mattered most.
A key point of discussion throughout the season was the play of second-year quarterback Jordan Love. After a promising start, his performance dipped, leading some to question whether the Packers made a mistake by giving him a significant extension. However, ESPN analyst Benjamin Solak offered a different perspective in a recent article, making a bold prediction about Love’s future.
Solak was asked by ESPN’s analysts to pick a candidate for next season’s MVP, and while many chose quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen, Solak was the only one to select Love. His reasoning centered on the Packers’ potential success next season and Love’s ability to lead them to greater heights.
Solak explained that the key to MVP selection is often finding the quarterback of a team that wins its conference, and he believes the Packers have a real shot at the division title. With the Detroit Lions’ potential for regression due to coordinator changes and a third-place schedule for Green Bay, Solak expects Love to thrive and lead the Packers toward a successful season.
The Packers will face less competition in their division, given Detroit’s 15-2 record last year will be hard to replicate. Even if the Lions maintain their offensive and defensive coordinators, they will likely take a step back. Meanwhile, the Packers, who finished behind Minnesota last season with an 11-6 record, will benefit from a more favorable schedule.
Looking back at this season, the Packers did have positive aspects to celebrate. First-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley helped transform their defense into a solid unit, even with some key injuries. As for Love, while his production dropped, there were factors beyond his control that contributed to his struggles.
A more run-heavy offense with the addition of Josh Jacobs meant the Packers didn’t need to rely as heavily on Love’s passing, which could have limited his numbers. Additionally, Love was hampered by a knee injury that caused him to miss games and affected his ability to perform at his best. He also dealt with a high number of dropped passes, as three Packers receivers ranked in the top 20 for drops.
Solak is not only predicting a productive season for Love but also forecasting the Packers’ path to the Super Bowl. While he expects them to lose in the big game to the Baltimore Ravens, he is high on the team’s prospects for next year. With available cap space and a solid track record in the draft, the Packers could emerge as one of the top NFC contenders in 2025 if they continue to build on their success.
