Jordan Love’s worrying absence gives the Packers cause for optimism

Just a year ago, the Green Bay Packers ended their tumultuous relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers by trading him to the New York Jets. It was the second consecutive prospective quarterback the Green Bay Packers had to trade to the Jets.

Green Bay drafted quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, but he did not become the team’s full-time starter until 2023 after the team’s bitter relationship with former quarterback Aaron Rodgers finally came to an end.

Love, who is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract, is seeking a contract extension. This time, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst hopes to make the contract negotiations and extensions a little friendlier.

Gutekunst told reporters Monday he was optimistic Love would get a contract extension in the next few days, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Gutekunst added Love would not practice until the deal is finalized.

Previous reports from NFL insiders Adam Schefter and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler have suggested the two sides are nowhere near an agreement on terms, and Gutekunst’s comments suggest the Packers feel they are closer to a deal than the media has previously reported.

While Love’s participation in Green Bay’s offseason programs could simply be a way to avoid penalties for unexcused absences, it’s still better than not being there at all. Daily communication could help the two sides close a deal just as training camp ramps up.

The minimum value of Love’s contract is likely an average annual value of $50 million. Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence exceeded that amount with their offseason contract extensions, and there’s no reason to believe Love doesn’t deserve a similar contract after his exceptional 2023 season.

Love doesn’t have a great sample size, although that’s not his fault. The 2023 season was his first season as a full-time starter, and it was a tale of two halves. Through the first nine games of the season, Love completed just 58.7 percent of his passes while throwing for just 2,009 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He finished the second half of the season with 2,150 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and just one interception in eight games.