The Green Bay Packers, like many NFL teams, started training camp on Monday. The excitement surrounding the upcoming season and the fact that the long dead period for NFL teams is finally over was short-lived, though. Before the first practice began, general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters that starting quarterback Jordan Love was refusing to participate in drills until his contract extension is done.
Love and the Packers front office have been negotiating what is sure to be an historic contract extension for weeks now. While both sides had expressed their desires to have a contract extension done by the start of training camp, the components of the deal are complicated.
Green Bay Packers Fans Should Not Blame Jordan Love for not Practicing During Contract Negotiations
While there are many Packers fans who understand the business of football, there are others who believe that Love should be practicing despite the fact that his contract extension has not yet been agreed upon. Their reasoning is that he signed a two-year contract last offseason and, therefore, is obligated to participate.
It is true, also, that the Packers could fine Love $50,000 for not participating in practice even though he is present at training camp. That being said, they are not going to do it.
The fact of the matter is that Love getting injured during a training camp practice would destroy his chances of getting a lucrative extension. It would also derail the Packers’ 2024 season as they would need to turn to either Sean Clifford or Michael Pratt to be their starting quarterback.
Fans may recall former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who was at one time a Pro Bowler and one of the NFL’s brightest young stars. He tore his ACL during training camp in 2016 and missed the entire season. The injury was so severe he missed virtually the entire 2017 season as well.
The Vikings declined his fifth-year option and Bridgewater became a journeyman quarterback. He announced his retirement from the NFL following the 2023 season.
While one can never predict such injuries, one cannot blame Love for wanting to make sure his future is secured before practicing.
Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy Addressed the Jordan Love Contract Situation
Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy has had his fair share of dealings with quarterbacks that are unsatisfied with their situation. He presided over the team when they made the decision to move from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers, and again when they decided to move on from Rodgers to Love.
This situation, of course, is completely different. Murphy brought it up himself during his own session with reporters.
In true Mark Murphy fashion, he didn’t have to be asked today to bring up Jordan Love and the contract negotiations with the #Packers.🤣
“We want to get a deal done, I know Jordan & his reps want to get a deal done, & I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to work something out.” pic.twitter.com/geBsSLmFvd
— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) July 23, 2024
“I’ll just say on that, I know Brian [Gutekunst] has talked about. I think Matt [LaFleur] has as well. I just echo what they said. We want to get a deal done. I know Jordan and his reps want to get a deal done. And I’m optimistic that we’ll work something out.”
When exactly that will be is yet to be seen. However, Packers fans can take solace in the fact that a deal will get done. Love is going to be around for a long time.
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