The Green Bay Packers moved on from long-time starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2023, as they were ready to hand the keys over to 24-year-old quarterback Jordan Love.
While many were skeptical of Love’s readiness to take over the starting job last season, he answered any possible questions with his play on the field.
After an impressive first season as the full-time starter in Green Bay, the now 25-year-old quarterback is in line for a potential mega contract extension with the Packers. Love recently expressed optimism regarding his discussions with the franchise.
Packers QB Jordan Love Provides Update on Contract Negotiations
Although the Packers could use Love’s final year of his deal and the franchise tag to keep him in Green Bay for three more seasons, that isn’t an ideal situation for either side. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst made it clear earlier this month that the franchise wants to sign Love to a contract extension before training camp in 2024.
“We’re in those conversations right now,” Gutekunst stated. “Both parties want the same thing. We’d like to get this done before training camp for sure.”
Gutekunst mentioned that Love also wants to get a deal done, which makes sense given his lack of long-term security heading into the final season of his rookie contract. Love met with reporters on Tuesday and expressed optimism about the ongoing negotiations.
Jordan Love on where things stand with his contract extension. pic.twitter.com/pEem2bhGM6
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) June 11, 2024
“Yes, I am,” Love said when asked if he was optimistic that a deal could get done before the start of training camp. “It’s what I’ve heard,” Love said when asked why he is optimistic about the situation.
MORE: Former GM Ranks Jordan Love As Best Cornerstone After Pat Mahomes
While Love elected to keep his answers to the media short regarding his contract extension, his optimism is notable. Love earned a significant contract extension due to his play last season, although it will be interesting to see how much he makes given that he has only started just 20 total NFL games.
Projecting Jordan Love’s Potential Mega Contract With the Packers
There’s no denying that Love showed flashes of elite potential last season. While he struggled with turnovers to start in 2023, he threw just three interceptions in Green Bay’s final 10 games, including the playoffs.
Yet the Packers are in an interesting situation when it comes down to deciding what to pay Love on his potential mega contract extension. While Love showed flashes of being one of the best quarterbacks in the league, he has only a modest amount of starting experience.
Love finished the regular season with 4,159 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. That’s a better touchdown-to-interception ratio than Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who threw 30 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Goff signed a four-year, $212 million extension with the Lions earlier this offseason, which included $170 million guaranteed. If I were Love’s agent, I would expect an offer in that range, especially given that Love is four years younger than Goff as well.
KEEP READING: Who Are the NFL’s Highest-Paid QBs in 2024?
The NFL’s quarterback market will always be a “what have you done for me lately” situation where players will be rewarded based on their recent level of play. In today’s NFL, the next star quarterback to sign a mega deal usually signs the biggest deal as well.
While every quarterback wants to reset the market, I’m not sure that Love will take the top spot just yet. Yet based on his age and level of play in his first season as the starter in Green Bay, I truly believe that Love deserves right around what Goff received in May.
