Cory's Corner: To Quarterback Or Not To Quarterback
The Packers have proven to be royalty when it comes to mining and developing quarterbacks. The Browns have proven to be, well, the Browns.
The Browns and the Packers can be summed up best in one word: quarterback.
In the last 30 years, the Packers have started three Week 1 quarterbacks. The Browns on the other hand, have started 19.
“In Green Bay, quarterbacking isn’t just a job — it’s a tradition,” said former Packers quarterback and Hall of Famer Bart Starr. “You don’t just play for today, you play to uphold what came before you.”
What the Packers have done at the most important position in all of sports is nothing short of remarkable. It all starts with a buy-in from everyone.
First, Packers general manager Ron Wolf trusted himself and who he was getting by trading the 17th overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft for Brett Favre, who was 0-for-4 with two picks in one season with the Falcons. Don Majikowski started the season as the Packers’ starting quarterback but after getting injured in the third game vs. Cincinnati, Favre took over.
And speaking of sitting, both Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love did plenty of that. Rodgers first sat in the green room of the 2005 NFL Draft. Many thought that he had a chance to get drafted in the top five, but he fell right into the Packers’ lap at 24.
But Rodgers’ time spent sitting wasn’t over. He then sat the next three years as a backup behind Favre. He started in 2008 and became a Pro Bowler the next season.
Then there’s Jordan Love. The Packers traded to move up four spots to take Love at No. 26 in the 2020 NFL Draft. And just like Favre, he sat. But Love didn’t even suit up for his true rookie season. Then in his first season as the starter in 2023, he threw 32 touchdowns and 11 picks.
“I’ll tell you what, Aaron’s been — he’s been an unbelievable mentor,” said Matt LaFleur in 2020. “That’s something that you never expect a veteran player or any player to do, but he’s really broken down the position well for Jordan, and I think Jordan’s in a perfect situation in terms of sitting back, listening, soaking it all in and learning from a Hall of Fame quarterback. I couldn’t be more pleased with the synergy in that quarterback room.”
And that’s really it right there. Rodgers learned from Favre. Love learned from Rodgers. Obviously there were hurt feelings along the way, but the team made the right choice by moving on.
Conversely, the Browns have been completely different. Since 2021, the Browns have had a Week 1 starter four different times. The Brownies started 40-year-old Joe Flacco in Week 1 a couple weeks ago after drafting Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft.
And let’s not forget that Deshaun Watson still has two years remaining on the $230 million fully guaranteed deal the Browns foolishly gave him. The Browns owe him $46 million in 2025 and 2026.
The Browns have used the first overall pick on Tim Couch in 1999 and Baker Mayfield in 2018. Yet because of culture, a carousel of coaching and general manager changes or a bad supporting cast, nothing was able to stick.
When it comes to understanding quarterbacks, the Packers have it figured out. The Browns still don’t understand the questions.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (27)
Savage57
September 20, 2025 at 06:34 am
The stat similarity between Love and Rodgers is encouraging.
What still needs to be sorted is whether Love can become that guy who can hoist the team up on his shoulders when the kimchi's deepest and pull a W out of his hat.
Any bonus points for multiple metaphors?
EricTorkelson
September 20, 2025 at 06:51 am
Wow the Deshaun Watson deal for the Browns was just mind boggling/desperation.. Paying that kind of money to a player with obvious major character issues and strapping the franchise for more than a couple years. I don't follow the Browns but you would think the GM who manufactured that deal was banished for life from the organization.
Now they have Shedeur Sanders waiting in the wings ( good grief )
Guam
September 20, 2025 at 07:45 am
Reportedly it was against the wishes of the GM and the deal was made by the owner - Jimmy Haslam. Another Dan Synder in the making....... Poor Cleveland.
LeotisHarris
September 20, 2025 at 08:41 pm
Jimmy made his billions with the Pilot/Flying J gas stations and travel centers. His businesses drew FBI attention in the 90s for fraudulent fuel rebate deals; nothing restitution and a $90+ million in fines couldn't fix. Sold the empire to Berkshire Hathaway for a tidy sum.
He's spread his stench over a number of professional sports franchises, most recently becoming minority owners of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023.
Guam
September 20, 2025 at 07:57 am
At least they didn't blow a first round draft choice on Sanders! Interesting that they grabbed two later round QBs (Gabriel and Sanders) to see if one develops. Maybe a better idea than reaching for a QB.
WestCoastPackerBacker
September 20, 2025 at 10:48 am
The even more ridiculous thing about the Deshaun Watson deal is they moved on from Baker Mayfield who has grown into a plus starter for the Bucs. He’s better than any quarterback on the Browns squad.
GregC
September 20, 2025 at 06:56 am
For all of Aaron Rodgers' foibles in recent years, he seems to have been great with Jordan Love, and he's continued to be very positive about Love even after leaving the Packers. Good for him.
There are so many layers to the Browns' dysfunction at the QB position. One more layer is that Baker Mayfield, who was a failure for them, has turned out to be a very good QB in Tampa Bay. The Browns just didn't have the right structure for him, and maybe he needed to grow up.
Guam
September 20, 2025 at 07:52 am
Mayfield failed with the Panthers and Rams after leaving the Browns so I am not sure that was all on the Browns. I think you are correct - he needed to grow up before he was ready to be an NFL QB.
You look at teams like the Browns, Bears and Raiders who have all had revolving doors at QB for lengthy periods of time and you wonder what the common denominator is? Bad ownership, bad drafting, bad coaching, all of the above???? I don't know, but I sure appreciate the Bears ability to screw up any QB they draft!
EricTorkelson
September 20, 2025 at 08:18 am
Im going to hold off on the on the screwing up of the Bears C Williams yet, he is talented and smart I watch his pressers seems grounded, humble. The Bears are attempting to provide blocking for him although they still need a left tackle ( again )
GregC
September 20, 2025 at 12:23 pm
I don't know if the Panthers gave him much of a chance. He was considered to be damaged goods when the Browns let him go. The Rams already had Matthew Stafford, so Mayfield was brought in strictly as a backup. I remember him playing great for the Rams when he had to start on short notice. That's when he started to revive his career.
LambeauPlain
September 20, 2025 at 08:03 am
Browns and the bares...graveyards of failed QBs.
dobber
September 20, 2025 at 08:58 am
I don't think 12 ever felt his job was threatened by Love, and that has a lot to do with it.
WestCoastPackerBacker
September 20, 2025 at 10:55 am
Rodgers did have MVP seasons just after Love was drafted, after not looking that sharp in recent seasons. Also threw for a record 48 TDs that season.
advdj76
September 20, 2025 at 12:03 pm
He wasn’t a failure with Browns. He is the only QB with a playoff win for them. He was injured for one season and they decided to pursue Watson. The result of that is clear now.
GregC
September 20, 2025 at 12:17 pm
When you are a team's first overall draft pick and they decide to go in another direction at QB, I would call that a failure. It probably was not all his fault, but Mayfield was considered to be an underachiever with the Browns.
HarryHodag
September 20, 2025 at 07:00 am
A quarterback might have a load of talent but can be a total flop because the talent around him is poor.
Cleveland has been the example of poor drafting, overall, for a long time.
The modern sports media thinks a quarterback is Superman, fully capable of winning it all all by himself.. I get nauseated watching-listening to sports talk shows because of this. Don't mistake me--the quarterback is important--but if Mahomes had been on the Browns all these years I wonder how much better they would have been.
Best to have a talented quarterback AND a talented team around him.
The Packers method means finding a talent and letting him learn and grow with those around him. You will notice the poorer teams drafting high in the first round pick a talented QB then many fizzle due to a lack of talent around him and being placed in the pressure cooker too soon. Sam Darnold found success when he was placed on a very good(gag!) Vikings team.
TOMMY'63
September 20, 2025 at 06:31 pm
Very true, I agree. If love was drafted by a qb needy team and thrown immediately to play instead of being a reserve for 3 years he'd would of been out of the nfl after his 2nd year,like many in the past. I'm not convinced with him,don't think he'll be an elite, he will cost us games, can he pull match winning drives in playoffs,not fuck up fumbling, interception, when it counts,improve the accuracy of his throws? Will see!
LambeauPlain
September 20, 2025 at 07:47 am
"Cleveland has been the example of poor drafting, overall, for a long time."
And during that time, they have been drafting on the top end of each round. Team Gutey has been drafting at the bottom of rounds...yet the Packers have been very productive in building their roster through the draft.
The grass is always greener on the other side until you make a deep exam and find grubs, clay soil, invasive weeds, and rocks.
Packers have had a great QB development plan...and it corresponds to several decades of similar development plans for all positions on the roster...focused more on player talent and character over need.
Guam
September 20, 2025 at 07:54 am
Well said LP!
LambeauPlain
September 20, 2025 at 07:59 am
When the Browns cut former #1 pick of the draft Couch, I recall how excited I was the Packers signed him to see if they could resurrect his 5 year NFL career of on field production...that unfortunately also included many INTs. He didn't see the NFL field very well. But could they make him into a solid backup to Favre?
No. His rotator cuff was having issues so his passing mechanics were off and he was released a final cutdowns. Couch was angry with the Packers and filed a grievance he should have been waived with an injury designation that went nowhere in 2004. Yet he waited until 2005 to have his cuff surgery. I believe he had another shoulder surgery shortly after.
He tried out with 1/3 of the NFL teams for the next few years but no takers. He was done.
NFLfan
September 20, 2025 at 08:57 am
Rodgers has to have noted the most recent edition of the Packer's Defense. And, there has been more recent overt investment in the WR position by drafting a first rounder. Rodgers & his 'developed' WR's often had to carry the team---points, points & more points on the board. Love is Gute's 'baby' and is being supported by a surrounding cast. Of course, the Division is more competitive and Gute/MLF have not been guaranteed their current positions.
-Context matters
Bitternotsour
September 20, 2025 at 03:59 pm
The defense was plenty good enough to win super bowls in Rodgers last years. He couldn't get the offense or the team over the line, and now he's gone.
TOMMY'63
September 20, 2025 at 06:20 pm
We could have won more than a sb with arod in his prime, no doubt about it! Tt never gave him a fucking defense in his prime! He caried the team on his back.31,41,45 pts in the playoffs weren't enough, tt gave him the offensive players in his prime, not the defense. Also misfortune, in 2011 ,15-1 , devastating to loose ,miss tackling, 9 dropped passes ,4 turnovers, and the ave maria received from eli manning to end 1st half, at seattle. We've been unlucky in the playoffs.
dobber
September 20, 2025 at 09:04 am
"When it comes to understanding quarterbacks, the Packers have it figured out."
There's been a tremendous amount of "right player, right coaches, right situations at the right times" going on. We can say they've got it figured out, but the ARod situation fell into their laps, and the fact that Ron Wolf was able to bring in Favre was a winner--especially when these guys were paired with the right head coaches (Holmgren and McCarthy) who knew something about handling QBs. I don't have any expectation that Love will be a Packer HOF QB, much less an NFL HOF QB, but I expect that he will play well...and that--if he doesn't--the Packers will go looking for the next guy. I just see as much serendipity here as I do design.
stockholder
September 20, 2025 at 11:41 am
Way Too much credit to management.
Give me a good coach, and you'll have your HOF QB.
And more than likely, You'll have a winner.
So much for the shock and Awe here.
TOMMY'63
September 20, 2025 at 06:10 pm
For curiosity, I don't know, will Watson return from injury this season for Cleveland, or out for most of the season? Maybe Cleveland should have kept Mayfield, he's playing well at tampa. Hope its not a trap game,
Doug_In_Sandpoint
September 20, 2025 at 08:00 pm
Did the McCaskeys buy the Brown when I wasn’t looking?