NFL Rumors: Why Green Bay Packers Traded For Jordan Love, Indianapolis Colts Linked To QB

The Green Bay Packers traded the No.30 pick and a fourth-rounder to the Miami Dolphins Thursday night in exchange for the No.26 selection. The defending NFC North champions moved up four spots in the first round to take Utah State quarterback Jordan Love on Day 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Aaron Rodgers is still under contract with Green Bay, but it’s clear the Packers believe Love can be their quarterback of the future. Rodgers became Green Bay’s franchise signal caller in a similar fashion when he was drafted 24th overall in 2015 with Brett Favre still on the team. Rodgers replaced the Hall of Famer in 2008.

The Packers felt Love was worthy of trading up for, and the team didn’t want anyone else to grab him. There was speculation that another team might pick Love before Green Bay went on the clock.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Packers traded with the Dolphins amid rumors that the Colts were targeting Love.

Indianapolis didn’t have a first-round pick. The Colts have the 34th overall selection, which they theoretically could’ve used to move up and take the quarterback.

The Colts traded the No.13 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in March in exchange for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.

Sportsbooks listed Indianapolis as one of the betting favorites to draft Love just prior to the first round.

Philip Rivers signed a one-year, $25 million contract with the Colts in free agency. Rivers replaces Jacoby Brissett, who is still on the roster and also unsigned beyond the 2020 season.

Rivers will turn 39 years old in December. He threw 20 interceptions last season. Indianapolis has more of a need than Green Bay to find its future signal caller.

Rodgers is still among the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He’s only thrown six total interceptions in the last two seasons.

Rodgers’ 102.4 career passer rating is the best in NFL history. He last had a triple-digit passer rating in the 2016 season.