Jordan Love extension: Packers QB ‘heard’ new deal could get done prior to camp; GM says ‘that would be ideal’

A week ago, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said the team wants to extend quarterback Jordan Love, who is entering the final year of his current contract in 2024, before the start of training camp at the end of July.

Love said negotiations for his long-term extension are expected to pick up after the conclusion of the Packers’ mandatory minicamp on Thursday. “Yes, I think they should,” Love said Tuesday, via ESPN.

When asked if he believes a new deal could be reached before the start of training camp in late July, Love kept his answer short and sweet. “Yes. That’s what I heard. … I like to be in the middle [knowing how contract negotiations are going]. That’s it,” said Love, smiling.

The Packers have traditionally announced some of their star players’ new deals to start training camp in previous years, and on Tuesday Gutekunest revealed that while the team hasn’t had Love’s contract signed and sealed, it is just awaiting the announcement of training camp , both Green Bay and Love are motivated to complete their extension.

“I wish that were the case,” Gutekunst said on Cheesehead TV Tuesday when asked if Love’s deal is done and the team is just waiting to announce it at the start of training camp. “I would have loved to have done this a few weeks ago, it would have been great. Having stability at quarterback, especially with Jordan, would be something that is good for the organization, good for our team. I think we both want Jordan here, and Jordan wants to be here. There is a desire on both sides to do something. I would love for that to be done before training camp, I think that would be ideal. I’ll see how it goes.

Gutenkunst continued: “I think [EVP and director of football operations] Russian [Ball] is doing a great job. Your relationship with David Mulugheta and his people is very, very strong. These things take time and none of them happen very quickly. I’m not too worried, but I think for all parties involved we would love to get this done before training camp. We’ll see how this happens. Even more important is the fact that we have the opportunity here to take over the center back position and make it very stable for us in the near future. That’s exciting.”

Love began its first season as a four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers’ successor has been slow, but he has found his groove during the second half of the 2023 season, throwing 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions in his last nine games, including the playoffs. His 32 passing touchdowns last season were second most in the NFL, behind only Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s 36.

He led the seventh-ranked Packers to a 48–32 victory over the second-ranked Cowboys of Prescott in his postseason debut after throwing for 272 passing yards and three touchdowns while completing 16 of his 21 passes for a passer rating. of 157.2, setting a Green Bay single – game postseason record.

Jordan Love 2023 season (including playoffs)

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s five-year contract worth $275 million ($55 million average per year) is the top of the market in terms of APY, and NFC North rival Jared Goff’s who is four years older than the 25-year-old Love, re-signed with the Lions on a five-year extension worth $212 million ($53 million average per year) this offseason, putting him in second place in the league in average annual contract value. Love will likely surpass Goff on the quarterback salary scale in the next five to eight weeks.