As the 2025 season unfolded, the Green Bay Packers and their rising star, Jordan Love, were making waves as potential Super Bowl 60 contenders. Love was also in the thick of the NFL MVP conversation, thanks to his stellar performances. But the dream unraveled in December.
After a crucial 28-21 victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 14, the Packers climbed to the top of the NFC North. Love's performance was impressive, with a 68.0% completion rate, 234 yards, and three touchdowns. This effort catapulted him to third in the MVP betting odds, trailing only Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye.
However, the following week brought a setback. Love's struggles in the second half contributed to a 34-26 loss to the Denver Broncos, a game that also saw Micah Parsons suffer a season-ending ACL injury. The situation worsened when Love sustained a concussion during an overtime loss to the Bears, ending his MVP hopes.
Love missed the last two regular-season games, both losses for Green Bay. Despite a valiant effort in the Wild Card Round against the Bears, where Love threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns, the Packers couldn't hold a 15-point lead, ultimately falling 31-27 after a defensive collapse in the fourth quarter.
Looking ahead to 2026, optimism surrounds the Packers' potential comeback. ESPN's Jason Reid is among those predicting a strong season for Love, even forecasting an MVP win for the quarterback.
In a series of early predictions for the 2026 season, ESPN asked 11 NFL experts to project the Super Bowl 61 matchup and the MVP winner. Reid stood out by picking Love to claim the MVP title.
"Love has shown exceptional arm talent in his first three years, justifying the Packers' decision to build their future around him. Next season, he'll elevate his game to MVP status," Reid stated.
Love's stats speak volumes: a 64.5% completion rate, 10,929 passing yards, 80 touchdowns, and a 97.8 passer rating over three seasons. While not a dual-threat, he's contributed on the ground as well.
Though Romeo Doubs might enter free agency, Love will still have a strong supporting cast with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, and Dontayvion Wicks under contract for 2026. Tight end Tucker Kraft is also expected to return from injury by Week 1.
If the Packers stay healthy and rack up wins, expect Love to be a serious contender in the MVP race once again.