QB Jordan Love will not train with the Packers due to unresolved contract situation

Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 17-9. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Jordan Love has been one of the better quarterback surprises of the 2023 season. The Packers made an unexpectedly deep playoff run and that rightly gave Packers fans hope that a new era is about to begin. The focus is on both head coach Matt LaFleur and franchise quarterback Jordan Love. But with Love’s great play came the responsibility of getting the right contract to match his performance, and they haven’t done that yet. AP has the full story on where Love and the Packers stand…

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Jordan Love wore civilian clothes as he lined up alongside coach Matt LaFleur on Monday before the Green Bay Packers’ first training camp.

Love will not practice until negotiations on a contract extension for the quarterback are completed, General Manager Brian Gutekunst said before training.

Gutekunst said Love reported to training camp last week but would not practice until an agreement is reached. Love’s contract expires at the end of the season.

“We understand his situation very well,” said Gutekunst. “We want him to be there. It’s important for him to be there. Of course you know how important training and working with his teammates are. But until we have clarified that, he will not train from now on.”

Gutekunst remained optimistic that the Packers and Love could reach an agreement soon, noting that Love participates in all other team activities.

“Yes, I think so,” Gutekunst said. “You never know. We’re working really hard to get this done. I think this is really important for us. … I’m confident we both want the same thing.”

LaFleur takes things easy.

“That’s part of our game and part of our business, but we’re confident he’ll be out there sooner or later,” he said. “I know how he prepares, so I’m not too worried about it. He’ll do whatever he can to get the mental reps. Of course, the physical reps are the most important thing.”

Love’s decision meant the Packers opened training camp with Sean Clifford and seventh-round rookie pick Michael Pratt as their only quarterbacks.

“The thing about Jordan is he’s been here the whole time during OTAs (organized team activities),” Clifford said. “He’s been working all summer. The guys know that. Nobody questions his work ethic. I got here at 7. His bag was already here. He’s here early and stays late. He does all the little things, so the players don’t have to worry.”

The Packers signed Love for a Extension by one year in May 2023, which included $13.5 million in guaranteed money and another $9 million in incentives. This deal gave the Packers time to evaluate Love as he entered his first season as a starter after four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets.

Love responded by leading the NFL’s youngest team to a 10-9 season that included a trip to the NFC divisional playoffs.

While the Packers and Love have been trying to negotiate a contract extension in the offseason, other quarterbacks have signed lucrative contracts. Detroit’s Jared Goff signed a four-year contract$212 million extension with $170 million guaranteed and Trevor Lawrence from Jacksonville agreed on a five-yearExtension for $275 million, of which $142 million is guaranteed.

“We’re going to support him 100%, just like he does for us,” receiver Christian Watson said. “He deserves every penny he gets – and more. I’m happy for him and hope he gets what he wants and we can get this thing under control.”

Love, 25, completed 64.2% of his passes for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season and improved dramatically as the season progressed.

He threw 21 touchdown passes with just one interception during a nine-game series that culminated in a 48-32 surprise of the Dallas Cowboys in a wildcard playoff game. Love threw two interceptions in the second half the following week in a 24-21 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers.

Gutekunst said he wasn’t too concerned about Love missing some practices this spring, but added: “When you get to a certain point, you’re taking a certain amount of risk as a player when he goes on the field. So you’re always aware that that could happen.” Gutekunst praised Love for being “very open and honest” throughout the negotiations.

“That’s just part of it, not unexpected,” Gutekunst said. “We’ll work to get it done, and hopefully he won’t miss too much time.”

While Love waits for a new contract, defensive tackle Kenny Clark signed a three-year extension through the 2027 season on Sunday. The three-time Pro Bowler entered the final season of the contract extension he signed in 2020.

“It’s great that everyone has their trust in me,” Clark said. “It’s just a testament to the work I’ve done and how consistent I’ve been and how I take care of my body and how much work I put in. I’m going to keep doing that, keep focusing on the ball and keep focusing on helping this team get to the Super Bowl. That’s the goal.”

NOTES: Right tackle Zach Tom was activated from the physically unable to perform list after suffering a torn pectoral muscle during offseason workouts. He participated in individual drills and is being slowly introduced back to game action. … TE Tucker Kraft, who also suffered a torn pectoral muscle during offseason workouts, was one of six players who did not practice. The others: WR Jayden Reed (toe), CB Corey Ballentine (hamstring), RB MarShawn Lloyd (hip), G Donovan Jennings (knee), OT Caleb Jones (hamstring). Reed, who was injured at his youth football camp, said it was “nothing to worry about.” Lloyd said he will be back “sooner than later.”