“It’s all a feel thing and feeling where guys are at,” Jordan Love mused to pressors this week, channeling the spirit of quarterbacks past as he stood on the precipice of his first season as the Green Bay Packers starter. In the high-stakes game of NFL preseason, Love has just made a bold declaration that’s sending ripples through Titletown. With the final preseason match against the Baltimore Ravens looming, Love’s confidence is radiating, leaving fans to wonder: Will he or won’t he suit up for one last dress rehearsal?

When asked about his potential participation in Saturday’s preseason finale, Love kept his cards close to his chest. “I don’t know. We’ll see. We’ll see. I haven’t decided yet on that one, but we’ll see,” he told reporters, leaving fans and pundits alike on the edge of their seats.

Love’s cryptic response comes on the heels of a stellar performance during joint practices with the Ravens. The quarterback put on a clinic against what many consider the NFL’s top defense, completing 17 of 26 passes and firing off four touchdowns in the red zone. This showing has filled Love’s sails with wind, as he confidently stated, “I like where we’re at offensively. I think we’re ready to go, get the season started.”

The joint practice served as a litmus test for the Packers’ offense, especially after a disappointing outing in Denver the previous week. Love’s bounce-back performance included touchdown passes to Romeo Doubs (twice), Christian Watson, and Tucker Kraft during red zone drills. It’s the kind of show that makes a quarterback feel like he’s ready to take on the world–or at least the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil come Week 1.

Love’s assurance isn’t just about his readiness. He’s speaking for the entire offensive unit, saying, “I feel like the team as a whole, we’re definitely ready.” This kind of leadership and confidence is exactly what Packers fans have been hoping to see from their new signal-caller. As the team prepares to transition from the Aaron Rodgers era, Love’s words and actions are painting a picture of a quarterback ready to step into the spotlight. But the question remains: Will we see that spotlight shine on Saturday, or will Love be watching from the sidelines?

The preseason predicament of whether to play or not to play

The decision to play starters in preseason games is always a delicate balance. On one hand, there’s the desire to maintain momentum and give players a real game experience. On the other, there’s the ever-present risk of injury. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has been tight-lipped about his plans for Saturday’s game, adding another layer of intrigue to the situation.

The Ravens, for their part, have already shown their hand. Known for their conservative approach to preseason, Baltimore typically keeps their starters on the bench during these games. This could influence the Packers’ decision, as playing Love against the Ravens’ backups might not provide the challenge or experience the team is looking for.

Love’s performance in the joint practice might work against him seeing playing time on Saturday. With such a strong showing against the Ravens’ first-team defense, LaFleur might feel that Love has already gotten the work he needs. As Love himself put it, “Having the two joint practices helped a lot just to be able to see different defenses.”

Eventually, the Packers’ think tank will determine what will give the team the best chance to prepare for their opening Brazilian season. As Packers devotees await the regular season in anticipation, they can rest easy knowing that their new leader believes he has what it takes. And still, Love said wisely, “You never really know until you get out there, but we’re just trying to be as ready as we can be.” They seemed like they were ready whether this was the final act of pre-season.

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