Jordan Love didn’t get a ton of snaps in the Green Bay Packers’ preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 13, 2026, but the few he did were a serious look into what they’re trying to build. He had just five dropbacks in the passing game, going 3/5 for 18 yards. Forget the final score in preseason, it never matters. What we’re all watching for is individual performance, and Love gave us some real insights in those limited reps.
Out-Breaker Obsession or Timing Tweak?
Love’s first dropback was a three-step out-breaker to Christian Watson, and honestly, the timing felt off. The throw sailed wide, which is surprising because last year, Love was money on these routes. It felt like the entire Packers offense was built around them! Typically, when they ran these at that depth last season, they were either off motion or part of a deeper route from a static alignment. Seeing it from a static alignment and having the timing off makes you wonder if they’re trying to lean heavily into an “Oops, All Out-Breakers” offense to all levels of the field. If that’s the plan, they’re definitely gonna need to clean up that automatic timing. It’s an early trend, but a crucial one for their rhythm.
Man Coverage Maestro: Love’s Crafty Reads
This was where Love really showed his growth. On his second dropback, he held the ball for the longest period of the day, scanning the field. The play started as a 2×2 formation with stop routes on the outside for Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, plus Jayden Reed running a crosser. Then, Josh Whyle shifted before the snap, turning it into a 3×1 Trips formation, and a defender followed Whyle. Bingo, that’s a clear Man coverage tell for Love. With Reed running that crosser right into Golden’s side against Man, the read became basically the same as a Slant/Flat concept. Love patiently waited for Whyle’s defender to clear the middle, then fired a perfect pass to Reed. He kept Patrick Queen, defender #6, pinned to the middle by looking right and not giving anything away until the last second. That’s a veteran move, holding that window open. Seriously well done by Love.
Quick Game Consistency: Setting the Tone
His third dropback was a quick-game staple called “Hank.” Golden ran a hitch from the outside, and Whyle ran a flat underneath. Love hit the top of his drop and connected with Whyle for a minimal gain. This isn’t a highlight-reel play, but it’s exactly what you want to see. It’s a fast read, quick release, and positive yards. In a system that might be looking to push the ball downfield more or lean into those out-breakers, having that reliable, quick-game consistency is vital. It keeps defenses honest and keeps the chains moving when the big shots aren’t there.
Look, it’s just preseason Week 1, and Love only got five dropbacks. But what he showed in those limited reps against the Steelers gave us a sneak peek at the precision they’re working on and his ability to diagnose defenses. We’re looking for that continued growth, that automatic timing, and those smart reads as the preseason rolls on. This is where he irons out the kinks and gets ready to bring that fire when the games actually count.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Acme Packing Company.
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