General manager Brian Gutekunst announced on Monday that quarterback Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers will not practice until he receives a contract extension.
Love did not sign a new contract, but he took part in all offseason exercises. However, Love’s agent notified the Packers on Saturday that he will not practice until a new contract is signed. Gutekunst stated that although contracts of this kind take time, something might be completed in the upcoming days.
“I feel we’re close,” Gutekunst said. Of Love’s practice absence, he added, “Not unexpected and we’ll work to get it done. Hopefully he won’t miss too much time.”
Love, 25, is about to go on a contract year after having an incredible first campaign in which he led the Packers to an unexpected postseason berth in the divisional round. In 17 regular-season games, he completed his passing for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
Love might sign a four-year, $224 million contract extension that would make him the highest-paid player in NFL history, even though he has only played in half of the season. This is because Trevor Lawrence plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Jared Goff recently signed a five-year, $53 million contract with the Detroit Lions. That agreement would be predicated more on what the Packers anticipate from Love going forward than it would be on what he has accomplished thus far.
In a few years, given the rising salary of quarterbacks, it would seem like a deal if Love keeps at his present pace.
Love arrived at camp on schedule, and outside of practice, she will take part in other team activities. Love’s camp is understandable, according to Gutekunst, and the Packers general manager did not seem concerned.
The Packers’ backup quarterback competition between 2023 fifth-round pick Sean Clifford from Penn State and 2024 seventh-round pick Michael Pratt from Tulane may perhaps become clearer as a result of Love’s absence.
After trailing current New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers for four years, Love is about to start his second season as a starter for the Packers. Prior to the 2018 season, Love and the Packers worked out a one-year contract deal that would keep the quarterback in Green Bay only until the upcoming season. Up to $22.5 million was the value of such extension, of which $13.5 million was fully guaranteed.
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(Photo: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)
