As the Green Bay Packers get ready for training camp, they’ll open the preseason by practicing without starting quarterback Jordan Love.
General manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters on July 22 that Love won’t be practicing until he gets a contract extension, but he reiterated that he thought a deal would be done soon.
“I think so,” Gutekunst told reporters. “Again, we’re working hard to get that done. That’s something that’s very important to us. … We both want the same thing. We want Jordan here for a long time.”
It’s not the update the Packers were hoping for. However, Love has reported to practice and will participate in everything besides on-field practice, Gutekunst said.
Until pen meets paper, Love will avoiding any injury risks and letting the backup quarterbacks earn starting reps.
Jordan Love’s Breakout Year & Valuation
The Packers stayed patient with Love after drafting him in the first round in 2020. Now, they have to figure out just how much they’re willing to pay their franchise quarterback.
Love is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and an extension could go for as much as $300 million over five years, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio in June.
But the Packers may not be totally comfortable with shelling out that kind of money on a one-year starter.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on the July 20 episode of “SportsCenter” that an agreement between Love and the Packers isn’t close.
“I’m told the vibes are positive, but there hasn’t been a lot of production as far as getting close to a deal. It’s gonna take a little time,” he said.
Love’s breakout season came at a great time as he heads into his final year under contract. He finished the regular season with 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and threw for another 466 yards and 5 touchdowns over two playoff games.
He waited behind Aaron Rodgers for three seasons before becoming the starter in 2023. If he continues the success he had in the second half of last season, he’ll likely be in line for top-of-market money for a quarterback.
“With no owner diverting profits to superyacht construction or maintenance, the Packers can reinvest all profits in their football operations,” Florio wrote. “If they’re truly sold on Love (and if they can construct the contract to give them an out after two or three years), it wouldn’t be a shock if he gets to $60 million first.”
Green Bay’s Quarterback Competition
While the Packers are working on paying Love, there’s a backup quarterback battle brewing heading into training camp.
Sean Clifford is the incumbent backup. He held down the QB2 spot as a fifth-round rookie out of Penn State in 2023. He has decent athleticism and plenty of college experience, but limited arm talent and questions about his overall ability as an NFL quarterback.
The Packers took another quarterback in this year’s draft, taking Tulane’s Michael Pratt in the seventh round. The reigning AAC Offensive Player of the Year was a four-year starter for the Green Wave. While his arm strength isn’t great, he had a good feel for throwing with timing and layering the ball into tight windows.
Both quarterbacks will be getting plenty of reps while the Packers are without Love until an extension gets done.
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Packers Give Concerning Update on Jordan Love Extension Talks