Jordan Love has agreed to a new four-year contract with the Green Bay Packers , according to multiple reports.
NFL Network claims his deal is worth $220 million. He'd been sitting out of training camp while waiting for the contract - but Green Bay officials were confident something would come together quickly .
Love's reported contract extension validates all the trust the Packers have placed in him after trading Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets last year. He'd not been a popular draft pick in the eyes of most NFL analysts and faced immense pressure to perform once he stepped into the starting role in 2023.
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But Love silenced doubters last year, leading the Packers to the divisional round of the playoffs where they nearly staged a monumental upset of the San Francisco 49ers.
Even amid a short contract standoff, Packers figures spoke highly of Love this summer. Said his backup quarterback, Sean Clifford, to ESPN before the extension was finalized: "It speaks volumes - he's not in California, he's here. I got in here at 7. His bag was already in here. He's in early, he's staying late. He's doing all the little things so it's no worry from the players that's for sure."
"We completely understand where he's coming from," said Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst last week. "We're working really hard to get that done. At the same time, the thing I have confidence in is we both want the same thing."
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Much to the delight of Packers fans, Love's first season as the starter brought better counting numbers than anyone in the history of the rival Chicago Bears. His 4,159 passing yards and 32 touchdown passes in 2023 were more than Bears signal-callers have ever accomplished.
Still, Love knows he must continue to prove his worth. The massive contract extension will put him under scrutiny in 2024, right as defenses make adjustments following his breakout campaign.
Green Bay, though, has the benefit of a youthful offense teeming with skill position talent. Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Luke Musgrave have all shown flashes as promising pass catchers. And the Packers added veteran running back Josh Jacobs to the fold during the offseason.
Getting Love's extension done before the end of July will help head coach Matt LaFleur prepare for the new NFL year. Now, LaFleur can use Love as he sees fit in practice and perhaps at least one of the team's August preseason games.
Green Bay begins its NFL regular-season charge on Sept. 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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