Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is making a compelling case for the 2026 NFL midseason MVP award, carrying a team that ranks last in rushing offense and faces significant adversity on the offensive line. Through nine weeks, the Packers hold a 6-3 record and have won five of their last six games, a turnaround largely attributed to Love's play.
Green Bay's rushing attack averages just 68.2 yards per game, the fewest for a team with a winning record through nine games in NFL history. Star running back Josh Jacobs is sidelined after finger surgery, and the offense has dropped a league-high 23 passes. The offensive line has allowed pressure in an average of 2.48 seconds, second-fastest in the league, after right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2 and the team is starting its third-string center. Love has been hit 57 times, fifth-most in the NFL.
Despite those obstacles, Love leads the league in passing yards (2,618) and completions of 20-plus yards (40), while ranking third in passing touchdowns (19). He has recorded three games with five or more completions of 30-plus yards, the most in any season over the last 35 years. In a 45-27 victory over the New England Patriots, Love threw for 372 yards and three touchdowns, completing 23 of 29 attempts, and added a 13-yard rushing touchdown. He also completed six of eight deep passes (20-plus air yards) for 235 yards and a touchdown, becoming the only quarterback this season with multiple games of at least six such completions.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur praised Love's resilience: "I can't say enough about the play of Jordan Love. He makes my job a hell of a lot easier. He is standing in there, he's taking hits and still dealing the ball. Those are low-percentage throws, in theory, but he's making them look high-percentage. They're right on the money."
Love's ability to deliver under pressure was highlighted by a 28-yard completion to Christian Watson while fading off his back foot. A similar attempt by Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, the 2024 MVP, resulted in an interception the following night. Against the Minnesota Vikings' top-ranked defense, Love leads all quarterbacks in passing yards (387), yards per attempt (9.2), passing touchdowns (2), and passer rating (88.1) when facing blitz packages.
The Packers' defense has also been without All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, who is rehabbing a torn ACL and meniscus from December 2025. Love acknowledged the support from fans who chanted "MVP" as he left the field in New England: "It's a really cool feeling, and I really appreciate all the fans."
