'He's the guy': Jordan Love is top MVP candidate in 2024, ESPN's Damien Woody says

Jordan Love reached some historical markers in his first-year as the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.

It won't earn him NFL MVP. That honor will likely go to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, the odds-on favorite to win his second honor.

Jackson is among a group of finalists that includes Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

But when you're creating a short list of contenders in 2024 you may want to start with the Packers' emerging star quarterback, especially if he stays on his trajectory he set for himself this past season.

"If there's a guy that I'm putting money on for like early MVP next year he's the guy. That's the guy," ESPN NFL analyst Damien Woody said about the Packers' 25-year-old quarterback during a recent segment on the morning talk show "Get Up."

"Not only did we see the jump in the second half of the season, but this is the youngest team in the NFL. Especially at the skill positions, they played a bunch of rookies and second-year guys. Imagine the jump all of them are going to make going into next year."

The segment asked the analysts to list which quarterback was due for a jump in 2024.

"Oh, this is a jump, baby," Woody said.

Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver-turned analyst Harry Douglas whole-heartedly agreed.

"100 percent," Douglas said. "The young man is on a tear right now."

Douglas also highlighted the Packers' "young cast" around Love as a benefit in continuing to improve.

"Those guys are able to grow together," Douglas said. "Best thing that could have happened (for the Packers last season) is making the playoffs, getting the experience."

Why are these analysts so confident in Love? Here's how he performed in 2023 that has them so optimistic.

Jordan Love's numbers in 2023 were among the NFL's best

After an uneven start to the season, one in which accuracy and turnovers plagued him, Love was nearly unstoppable over the final two months.

In the final eight games of the regular season, Love threw 18 touchdown passes to just one interception and posted a passer rating above 100 in seven of them. The Packers went 6-2 in these games. For the season, he tied for the league lead for games with three or more touchdown passes and zero interceptions. Love posted five such games.

Love finished among the league leaders in several statistical categories. His 32 touchdown passes during the regular season were second-most, trailing only Prescott's 36; his 4,159 yards were seventh-highest and his 96.1 rating was ninth-most for a quarterback who played at least 15 games. He also added four rushing touchdowns.

He was unfazed by the spotlight, at one point carving up a Chiefs defense that will take center stage at the Super Bowl on Sunday. And he led the Packers to a remarkable playoff berth, with one impressive performance after another down the stretch.

In his first playoff game, Love's star was shining bright. He orchestrated the Packers' huge 48-32 upset victory over the second-seeded Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, showing poise and confidence you may not expect of a player making his postseason debut on the road. His 157.2 passer rating was the highest for a Packers quarterback in team playoff history.

Packers quarterback MVPs

If Love can win an MVP at any point as the Packers starting quarterback he'll join Green Bay's other legendary QBs who captured the league's top individual prize.

• Bart Starr won MVP in 1966
• Brett Favre won three straight MVPs (1995, 1996 and 1997)
• Aaron Rodgers won four MVPs (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021)

NFL Honors schedule, how to watch

The 2023 NFL MVP, along with the rest of the awards and newest Hall of Fame class, will be announced on Thursday at the league's annual NFL Honors ceremony.

The event begins at 8 p.m. from the Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas. CBS will televise the show with streaming available on Paramount+.

While Love isn't up for MVP or Matt LaFleur coach of the year, the Packers will have representation at the event.

Running back Aaron Jones is one of the three finalists for the Salute to Service Award.