In a thrilling play that had all Green Bay Packers fans on the edge of their seats, coach Matt LaFleur called a dagger concept that had quarterback Jordan Love taking a shot down the field. However, the unexpected checkdown pass to AJ Dillon for 22 yards left LaFleur feeling a bit puzzled at first.
Delving deeper into the play, LaFleur realized that the success of the pass lay in what he didn’t see happening. The Detroit Lions threw a fifth rusher at Love, creating chaos in the pocket. This pressure forced Love to quickly release the ball to Dillon in the flat, instead of waiting for the deeper concept to unfold.
Reflecting on the play, LaFleur remarked, “That gave me confidence like, Holy s–t, this kid’s getting the ball out of his hand. I was watching him. The dagger’s wide open. I didn’t see what happened in the pocket. The rush barreled down, he got the ball out.” This quick decision-making under pressure impressed LaFleur, highlighting Love’s ability to read the defense and make split-second choices.
Despite the initial confusion, LaFleur’s trust in Love only grew stronger as he witnessed the young quarterback’s composure under pressure. “It’s just that feel. However long that takes, that feel that you get in the pocket, he’s done such a good job with it,” LaFleur praised, emphasizing Love’s progress and adaptability on the field.
The play may not have gone exactly as planned, but the unexpected checkdown pass turned out to be a pivotal moment in showcasing Love’s talent and potential as a quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. As the team continues to develop and grow, all eyes will be on Love and his ability to lead the Packers to victory in the upcoming season.