Packers add veteran quarterback Desmond Ridder to the practice squad

As the regular season comes to a close, the Green Bay Packers find themselves in a position where they may have the luxury of resting their starting quarterbacks, Jordan Love and Malik Willis, for their final game against the Minnesota Vikings. This decision is not one to be taken lightly, as it could impact the team’s performance in the playoffs.

The Packers have had a successful season thus far, clinching the NFC North title and securing a spot in the playoffs. With their postseason fate already sealed, the question now becomes whether or not it is worth risking the health and well-being of their starting quarterbacks in a game that may not have any significant impact on their playoff seeding.

Jordan Love, the Packers’ first-round draft pick in 2020, has shown flashes of potential in limited playing time this season. While he has yet to fully prove himself as a starting quarterback in the NFL, the Packers have invested a significant amount of resources in developing him as the eventual successor to Aaron Rodgers. Resting Love in the regular-season finale would give him an opportunity to continue his development without the pressure of a must-win game.

Malik Willis, on the other hand, is a rookie quarterback who has yet to see any playing time in the regular season. The Packers selected Willis in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the hope that he could eventually become a franchise quarterback. Resting Willis in the final game of the season would allow him to continue learning the playbook and developing his skills without the added pressure of a game situation.

While the decision to rest both Love and Willis may seem like a no-brainer, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. By sitting their starting quarterbacks, the Packers risk losing momentum heading into the playoffs. Football is a game of rhythm and timing, and taking a week off could disrupt the flow of the offense. Additionally, there is always the possibility of injuries in practice or other unforeseen circumstances that could impact the availability of the starting quarterbacks in the playoffs.

Another factor to consider is the impact on the rest of the team. The Packers rely heavily on their quarterbacks to lead the offense and set the tone for the rest of the team. If Love and Willis are not playing in the regular-season finale, it could have a demoralizing effect on the rest of the players. However, the coaching staff would need to weigh these potential drawbacks against the long-term benefits of resting their quarterbacks.

Ultimately, the decision to rest Jordan Love and Malik Willis in the regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings will come down to a combination of factors, including the health of the quarterbacks, the importance of the game, and the coaching staff’s assessment of the team’s overall readiness for the playoffs. While there are risks involved in sitting their starting quarterbacks, the potential benefits of giving Love and Willis a week off to rest and prepare for the playoffs may outweigh those risks.

In the end, the Green Bay Packers will need to make a calculated decision based on the best interests of the team as a whole. Whether they choose to rest their starting quarterbacks or play them in the final game of the regular season, one thing is certain: the Packers will be looking to make a deep run in the playoffs and compete for a Super Bowl championship. And whatever decision they make regarding Jordan Love and Malik Willis, it will be with that ultimate goal in mind.

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Source: packersnews.com