Green Bay Packers starters, including Jordan Love, are set to play in the 2024 preseason opener vs. the New York Jets. Get the latest from Coach LaFleur's plan!
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Pack your coolers and get your jerseys ready, Packers fans, because Saturday's preseason game just got a whole lot more interesting. Head Coach Matt LaFleur dropped the news we were all waiting for on Thursday: Jordan Love and the rest of the starters are expected to play in the preseason opener against the New York Jets. It’s a clear signal that the tune-up phase is over and the real preparation for Week 1 has begun.
We’ll do our best to give them all meaningful reps. Certainly some of those guys, they’re going to play longer than others.
Coach LaFleur confirmed that the decision to play starters is a calculated one, rooted in data and experience aimed at getting the team ready while mitigating regular-season injury risk. Jordan Love himself is eager for the action, recalling his 65-yard touchdown strike to Dontayvion Wicks in last year's opener as a key confidence builder. While Love's time will be limited, LaFleur assured that all four quarterbacks—including Malik Willis, Sean Clifford, and Taylor Elgersma—will get opportunities to prove themselves. It's a strategic move to ensure the entire team, from QB1 down, is battle-tested before the games start to count.
While the starters prepare for their cameo, the real drama at Thursday's practice centered on the intense positional competitions. Newcomers Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney continued to look like the high-impact veterans the team signed them to be, setting a high bar in drills. But the fight for the final roster spots is where the story is. Second-year running back Chris Brooks is making a compelling case for a significant role, earning high praise from the team's lead back. Jacobs told the media that Brooks' ability as a runner, receiver, and blocker makes him a versatile weapon, signaling that the RB room is deeper than many anticipated.
Football giveth and football taketh away. As one player like Brooks rises, another faces a setback. LaFleur confirmed that offensive lineman Travis Glover suffered an injury, leaving his status uncertain. While unfortunate for Glover, his potential absence cracks the door open for another player to claim a roster spot. This development puts even more pressure on the offensive line depth during Saturday's game and could have a ripple effect, potentially allowing the team to keep an extra player at a skill position like running back. It's a harsh reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL.
All eyes now turn to Saturday's matchup with the Jets. This is no longer just an exhibition game; it's our first real look at the 2025 Packers in action. How sharp will Jordan Love and the starters look in their limited snaps? Who will make a statement in the crowded running back room, and how will the offensive line depth hold up in the wake of injury? The dress rehearsal is over, and the answers will start to unfold under the bright lights of preseason football.
