Adam Schefter urges Packers to complete Jordan Love’s contract extension, with worrying update

June 26, 2024

Time is running out for the Green Bay Packers. They have until the next offseason to extend Jordan Love’s contract, but their scheduled date for the start of training camp is getting closer.

In addition, they have to consider the quarterback market. Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence signed large contract extensions this spring, driving up salaries on future contracts. Love will almost certainly be inking a deal worth well over $50 million per year, something that was hardly guaranteed at the start of the offseason.

Dak Prescott could rebalance the quarterback market if the Dallas Cowboys decide to actually pay him. Given some of the questionable decisions they’ve made this offseason, the Cowboys may not get it right. But they should. If Prescott does eventually get a new contract, it could be well above the league maximum salary of $55 million.

And this is where things get challenging for the Packers.

NFL insider Adam Schefter gave an insight into the Packers’ contract negotiations with Love. In the ESPN broadcast NFL LiveSchefter revealed that the Packers and Love “don’t seem to be that close right now.” That’s a little concerning just four weeks before training camp.

He also explained why the Packers need to make a deal before Prescott signs a contract extension with the Cowboys.

“If I were Green Bay, I’d be worried about waiting long enough for a Dak Prescott deal to happen at some point,” Schefter said. “Who did Jordan Love beat in the postseason? Dak Prescott. Who’s going to rebalance the quarterback market at some point next year? Dak Prescott.”

“If the Packers want to wait, I don’t know if they’re going to win this game unless Jordan Love seriously deteriorates, and I don’t think anyone on this board expects that to happen next season.”

That’s a valid point. What if Prescott signs a $60 million-a-year contract? Love could point to his numbers from last season — including the win over the Cowboys in the playoffs — as a reason he deserves the same salary.

Schefter said there are two realistic windows in which Love’s contract could be finalized, either before training camp begins or before the start of the season.

Green Bay should aim for the former. An immediate deal would end any uncertainty and prevent distractions during training camp. Love only has one year left on his contract, so he should focus on preparing for the new season without worrying about the status of an extension.

With Prescott’s contract extension coming up soon, it’s in the Packers’ best interest to get the deal done beforehand.

There’s still time, but with Schefter reporting that they “don’t seem close,” it sounds possible that the Packers could begin training camp without a new contract signed — exactly the scenario Brian Gutekunst wanted to avoid.