The Green Bay Packers are looking for ways to elevate their offense in 2026, and head coach Matt LaFleur has identified a subtle but crucial area for quarterback Jordan Love to improve: using his legs more effectively when plays break down.
The Untapped Element in Jordan Love’s Game
Jordan Love is already a proven passer, but his rushing ability remains an underutilized weapon. This isn’t about turning him into a run-first quarterback or designing more QB runs—it’s about situational awareness.
LaFleur wants Love to recognize when defenses leave space open and punish them by taking off. In today’s NFL, those small decisions can be the difference between a stalled drive and a game-changing play.
As LaFleur emphasized, there’s often “no defense” for off-script situations. When a play collapses and coverage holds up, quarterbacks who can improvise with their legs become incredibly difficult to stop.
Why Mobility Matters in LaFleur’s Offense
LaFleur’s system thrives on rhythm and timing, but when that structure breaks down, improvisation becomes critical. That’s where mobility comes into play.
Backup quarterback Malik Willis offered a glimpse of this dynamic. While not as polished a passer as Love, Willis’s dual-threat ability forced defenses to hesitate—opening up running lanes and creating stress across the field.
Love doesn’t need to match Willis athletically, but even modest improvements in scrambling could significantly boost the offense.
Learning from the Best: Rodgers and Mahomes
LaFleur pointed to examples that define this skill at an elite level. Former Packers legend Aaron Rodgers mastered the art of extending plays, both with his arm and his legs. Rodgers consistently turned broken plays into positive gains by sensing pressure and exploiting open space.
Similarly, Patrick Mahomes has built a reputation as one of the league’s best improvisers. He’s not the fastest quarterback, but his awareness is elite—he knows exactly when to escape the pocket and pick up key yards.
That’s the model for Love. It’s not about speed—it’s about instinct and timing.
Numbers Highlight the Opportunity
The gap is clear when looking at production:
- Patrick Mahomes averages about 3.9 rushing attempts per game
- Jordan Love averages just 2.6 across his career starts
That difference may seem small, but over the course of a season, it represents dozens of missed opportunities to extend drives and keep defenses honest.
Recognizing Defensive Opportunities
Certain defensive looks naturally create running lanes:
- Two-high safety shells often leave space underneath
- Man coverage can turn defenders’ backs to the quarterback
- Broken plays create unpredictable खुली lanes
The Packers saw plenty of these situations in 2025, but Love didn’t always capitalize.
The Playoff Example That Says It All
A defining moment came in the playoff loss to the Chicago Bears. Facing a critical third-and-short, the play broke down—and a clear running lane opened in front of Love.
Instead of taking the easy yards, he hesitated and threw the ball away. The result: a punt and lost momentum.
It’s exactly the type of situation where quarterbacks like Rodgers or Mahomes instinctively take off, extend the drive, and frustrate defenses.
Chemistry Matters on Broken Plays
Improvisation isn’t just on the quarterback. It requires coordination across the offense.
LaFleur highlighted the importance of receivers reacting to off-script situations—similar to the chemistry Rodgers once had with targets like:
- Jordy Nelson
- Randall Cobb
When Rodgers moved, his receivers adjusted instantly, finding space and creating opportunities. Developing that same connection with Love will be key.
Small Adjustment, Big Impact
The encouraging part for the Packers is that this isn’t a major overhaul. Love doesn’t need to change his identity—he just needs to add a layer to his game.
Even a slight increase in scrambling could:
- Extend drives on third down
- Reduce sacks and negative plays
- Force defenses to account for another threat
- Open up passing lanes downfield
The Bottom Line
Jordan Love already has the tools to be a top-tier quarterback. What Matt LaFleur is asking for is refinement—not reinvention.
If Love can consistently recognize when to use his legs—especially in high-leverage moments—he can unlock a new dimension of the Packers’ offense.
It’s a small tweak on paper, but in reality, it could be the missing piece that elevates both Love and Green Bay to the next level.
