EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Falcons HC Mike Smith urges Green Bay to shut down Aaron Rodgers and play Jordan Love for the rest of the season

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers' playoff hopes suffered another crushing blow on Sunday when they succumbed to a 40-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The loss saw the Packers drop to 4-8 and almost out of contention for a spot in the playoffs.

Rodgers exited the game in the third quarter with an oblique injury which allowed backup Jordan Love the opportunity to make a relief appearance.

While the Packers are still mathematically alive in the race for a spot in the playoffs, former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith has called time of death on Green Bay's campaign.

During an appearance on Sportskeeda's BallFather Podcast, Smith told host Reggie Roberts:

"The Packers are toast. They're done. Okay. And, you know, they're in the oven burner. They're done."

With their playoff hopes dashed, Mike Smith urged the Green Bay Packers to shut down Aaron Rodgers for the rest of the season and give Jordan Love the opportunity to showcase his ability:

"Aaron Rodgers had two touchdowns, two interceptions in the first half. He was injured. He came into the game with a thumb (injury) and now he's got ribs or oblique. In my opinion, moving forward, because they're toast, they're done, now's the time to see if Jordan Love is the long-term quarterback in Green Bay.

"He was drafted to replace Aaron Rodgers three years ago and he's barely seen the field. And it wasn't by design. That's not how they designed it when they drafted him."

He added:

"I know Aaron Rodgers doesn't want to come off the field. He's a highly competitive guy, one of the most competitive guys in the NFL. But I think it's time. Let's see what this Jordan Love can do."

Jordan Love must be given the opportunity to prove himself

Love, who is in his third season with the Packers, will be entering his contract year in 2023. Green Bay will have a fifth-year option on his contract. The deadline to pick up the fifth-year option is usually the first week of May.

With a decision about Love's future impending, Smith believes the Packers should play the quarterback as much as possible before pulling the trigger.

"I mean, if not, you're going to have no idea. You're going to have four years invested in [Love]. Are you going to make a decision that you're going to pay him when he hasn't had the type of experience?"

Love finished with six completions for 113 yards against the Eagles on Sunday night. He connected with Christian Watson on a long touchdown which made the scoreline respectable.

Rodgers signed a three-year, $150 million extension in the 2022 offseason with the Packers, but the two parties could part ways after the end of the 2023 season. It's a tough situation for Green Bay and it remains to be seen what the franchise decides to do.

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The latest episode of the BallFather Podcast featuring former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith will be out soon on YouTube.