CLEVELAND — Jordan Love made the most of limited playing time, throwing a 65-yard touchdown pass to Dontayvion Wicks on Green Bay’s third play as the Packers cruised to a 23-10 exhibition victory over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday.
Love, who is it signed a four-year contract extension worth $220 million at the start of training camp last month, he completed both pass attempts in his only series on the field. Sean Clifford replaced 25-year-old Love.
The Packers believe Love follows in the footsteps of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers to continue Green Bay’s lineage of great quarterbacks. He led the Packers to a 10-9 record last season in his first year as a starter.
On Green Bay’s first possession, Love waited for Wicks to get behind safety Ronnie Hickman before hitting him for a quick and easy score.
A fifth-round pick out of Virginia last year, Wicks came into his own late in his rookie season, scoring four touchdowns in three games before being benched in a division playoff loss to San Francisco.
While the Packers worked on Love, the Browns rested starting quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is coming off right shoulder surgery.
Watson has played nearly every day in camp and appears to be on track to start the season opener on September 8 against Dallas. But the Browns remain cautious with Watson, who was limited to just 12 games in his first two seasons with Cleveland.
Backup QB Jameis Winston started for the Browns and played just one series. He was 4 of 5 for 30 yards.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski elected to sit many of his starters, including star defensive tackle Myles Garrett, reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year wide receiver Amari Cooper and Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio.
Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur took a different approach, opting to give many of his starters at least some playing time.
THE OTHER QBS
Clifford may have solidified his position as Green Bay’s No. 2 QB, completing 10 of 19 passes for 111 yards. The former Penn State standout attempted just one stint as a rookie in 2023.
Seventh-round pick Michael Pratt was 5 of 7 for 46 yards.
One of Cleveland’s few bright spots was Dorian Thompson-Robinson. He was 14 of 18 for 134 yards. Thompson-Robinson, who made three starts as a rookie last season, is battling Tyler Huntley for third place.
KICK SUPPORT
Green Bay’s kicking competition between Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph remained highly competitive.
Carlson, who struggled at times as a rookie in 2023, made field goals of 46 and 33 yards and converted his only extra point attempt. Joseph kicked a 35-yarder and had a PAT.
Dustin Hopkins will handle Cleveland’s shooting, but the 33-year-old did not play. Cade York, who was cut by the Browns last season before they traded for Hopkins, kicked a 55-yard field goal.
INJURIES
Packers: Rookie RB MarShawn Lloyd suffered a hamstring injury. The third-round pick out of USC had a carry for 8 yards. … CB Robert Rochell was treated in the medical tent during the second quarter for an apparent shoulder issue.
Browns: Hickman injured his back on Wicks TD and did not return. … WR David Bell left with a quadriceps injury. … Sophomore backup C Luke Wypler was carried with his right leg immobilized. The team said he injured his ankle. …S Vincent Gray (groin) was also injured. … LB Nathaniel Watson (quadriceps) left in the third quarter.
NEXT
Packers: At Denver on August 18.
Browns: Host Minnesota for two practices this week before facing them in an exhibition on Aug. 17.
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