Packers' Jordan Love draft pick not end for Aaron Rodgers
The Packers drafted Jordan Love in the first round, though that does not signal the immediate end for Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.
Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFL and the Green Bay Packers plan to "have him for a while" despite drafting Jordan Love, according to general manager Brian Gutekunst.
**NFL Draft 2020: every pick from the 1st round**
Rodgers still Packers' quarterback
As expected, quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert came off the board early in Thursday's opening round, with the trio all taken inside the top six picks.
However, the Packers caused a surprise late on when they traded up to select Utah State signal-caller Love with the 26th pick, raising questions over their long-term commitment to the current starter on the team.
Rodgers turns 37 during the 2020 season but Gutekunst insists the two-time MVP understands the situation, particularly as he was drafted in a similar position in 2005, serving as back-up to Brett Favre for three years before taking over the job.
"Aaron's been around a long time and knows what we're playing for right now," Gutekunst said on a media conference call.
"We have the best quarterback in the National Football League and we plan to have him for a while competing for championships.
"I think he'll be a pro's pro. He's playing for legacy type things, historic-type stuff. I know he's very, very motivated."
Love experienced a see-saw 2019 season with the Aggies. He threw for 3,402 yards and 20 touchdowns, though he also had 17 interceptions.
Gutekunst revealed that the Packers had not gone into the opening round with the intention of taking a quarterback, with the move only made because Love was still available.
"This was not something we set out to do," Gutekunst said. "He just happened to be a guy we liked who fell to us, and this was the best decision."