Packers Trade Pitch Nets Former Super Bowl QB to Fill in for Injured Jordan Love

The Green Bay Packers continue to tread water at the quarterback position five days after Jordan Love went down with an MCL sprain in the season opener.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN explored the franchise's options beyond backup Malik Willis , who head coach Matt LaFleur has already said will start Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts . Among the possibilities Fowler floated is a trade with the Los Angeles Rams for Jimmy Garoppolo .

"If Jordan Love's knee injury was a long-term one, the Rams' Jimmy Garoppolo or [Denver] Broncos ' Jarrett Stidham might make sense via trade," Fowler wrote on Wednesday, September 11. "But this is essentially about surviving Weeks 2-5, which Green Bay can attempt to do with a strong running game and defense."

The problem with that analysis is it assumes Love will only be out four weeks, when in reality it could be longer -- potentially six weeks based on the nature of the injury, or even more if something goes wrong.

Secondly, it assumes that Willis is good enough to serve as a placeholder QB in the offense and rely on a defense that surrendered 34 points to the Eagles on a neutral field despite forcing 3 turnovers in the game.

"It should be noted that Willis played well enough in the preseason that the [Tennessee] Titans considered keeping three quarterbacks," Fowler continued. "He's playing much faster than he did as a rookie."

The Packers are clearly going to give Willis a shot as the No. 1 guy for at least one game. However, depending on how he plays, circumstances could change drastically after that opportunity.

Garoppolo has never been a great NFL quarterback. However, the 11-year veteran has amassed more than 15,000 passing yards, 94 TDs and 51 INTs during his pro career.

He also led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl following the 2019 season, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the title game.