The Green Bay Packers have started training camp in preparation for the 2024 NFL season. Throughout the course of the offseason, the front office has done its best to surround star quarterback Jordan Love and new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley with the necessary support that they will need to help the team take its next step towards Super Bowl contention.
While the Packers did not add any more wide receivers for Love (they didn’t have to), they did go out and sign running back Josh Jacobs and used three of their picks in the 2024 NFL Draft on offensive linemen. On defense, they signed safety Xavier McKinney and used significant draft capital on linebackers and safeties.
They also signed three-time NFL Pro Bowler Kenny Clark to a three-year extension.
Now the only thing they have left to do is come to an agreement with Love on his own contract extension.
Green Bay Packers Quarterback Jordan Love Is Holding in at Training Camp
On Monday morning, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst told the media that Love was present for training camp. However, he and his agents had informed the organization that the star quarterback would not participate in any practices until his contract was signed.
Both the Packers and Love had previously expressed hope that they would reach an agreement by the time training camp started. However, that is obviously not the case.
While some fans may feel the need to criticize Love for not practicing, one must recall the unfortunate turn that former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s career took during one fateful training camp practice.
Bridgewater, as many may recall, tore his ACL during practice. Once an up-and-coming quarterback with the NFL at his feet, he turned into a journeyman and placeholder. The dream of signing a multi-year contract was gone.
By showing up to training camp but refusing to practice, Love is showing his commitment to the team, but is also protecting both himself and the organization by not practicing. Him getting hurt will not do anyone any good.
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport Gives a Positive Update on Contract Talks Between Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers
Obviously, the fact that Love was not practicing was one of the bigger stories in the NFL on Monday. As such, NFL insider Ian Rapoport investigated the situation, and had a positive update for fans later on Monday afternoon.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: There is optimism from the #Packers that a blockbuster deal for Jordan Love will come sooner rather than later. pic.twitter.com/oDDDcyhasl
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 22, 2024
“The biggest question for the Packers in the last three or four or however many years really has been is Jordan Love the heir apparent to Aaron Rodgers, and is the franchise guy?
“They are very close to solidifying that with the kind of big money massive extension that starting quarterbacks, and frankly, star quarterbacks get. We’ve seen a couple of them this offseason. No doubt Jordan Love is going to join them. That question of ‘Is he going to get a deal?’ does not really need to be answered. Listening to the words of general manager Brian Gutekunst, it’s really just a matter of how much and does he become the highest paid? Does he eclipse Joe Burrow?”
Rapoport went on to say that the Packers are more than okay with Love holding in because their biggest question (was Love good enough to take the place of Aaron Rodgers?) has already been answered.
It is not a question of if the Packers and Love will agree to a deal. It is a matter of when. Based on what Gutekunst said today, it should not be long.
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