GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers and Jordan Love could also be nearing an settlement on a contract extension, however till it is finished, the beginning quarterback will not take part in observe or any video games this preseason.
Packers common supervisor Brian Gutekunst stated Monday shortly earlier than the crew’s first observe of coaching camp that Love’s representatives knowledgeable him Saturday evening of their plans earlier than a deal will get finished.
“We fully perceive the place he is coming from,” Gutekunst stated.
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Love did report for coaching camp on time and participate in conferences and different coaching camp actions aside from observe. Beforehand, Love took half in the whole offseason program and the crew’s obligatory minicamp in June to satisfy necessities for a $500,000 exercise bonus.
When requested whether or not an extension may get finished inside a number of days, Gutekunst stated: “Yeah, I feel so, however once more, you by no means know. We’re working actually arduous to get that finished. On the identical time, the factor I’ve confidence in is we each need the identical factor.”
Coach Matt LaFleur stated Monday that second-year professional Sean Clifford will deal with the primary snaps with the starters, however the reps might be cut up 50-50 between Clifford and rookie Michael Pratt. LaFleur stated former NFL quarterback Sean Mannion, who was employed as an assistant coach this offseason, will assist with throws throughout drill work.
On Tuesday, nonetheless, the Packers signed Jacob Eason, deciding they wanted a 3rd quarterback for observe till Love’s deal is finished. Eason, the previous fourth-round decide of the Indianapolis Colts in 2020, tried out for the Packers on the crew’s rookie minicamp in Might.
LaFleur stated he was not instantly anxious about Love and the offense dropping the momentum that they had constructed final season and into the offseason program.
“I understand how he prepares,” LaFleur stated. “So, I am not overly involved about that.”
Love didn’t communicate to reporters just like the Packers beginning quarterback would sometimes do after the primary coaching camp observe. However Clifford, who served as Love’s backup final season, stated Love had hinted to him over the weekend that he won’t be in place to observe when camp opened.
“He clearly needed to be on the market; he is been pushing to get on the market,” Clifford stated. “I do not even suppose it is him. It is extra of different folks ensuring that he is taken care of. The group is as effectively. They’re doing their due diligence. He gave me slightly little bit of a heads up and stated, ‘Hey, simply be prepared.'”
Clifford, who threw landing passes to Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks in Monday’s observe, indicated that he thinks this may very well be a short-term scenario.
“I do not suppose it should take tremendous lengthy,” Clifford stated. “It is simply what he is received to do now. However once more, it speaks volumes — he is not in California, he is right here. I received in right here at 7. His bag was already in right here. He is in early, he is staying late. He is doing all of the little issues so it is no fear from the gamers that is for positive.”
With out a new deal, Love would have made solely $11 million this season on the ultimate 12 months of a mini extension he signed final Might. That deal added one 12 months, the 2024 season, to his rookie contract. It was in lieu of the crew choosing up the fifth-year choice on that deal. On the time, Inexperienced Bay gave Love a $8,788,655 signing bonus. His base wage for final season was $1.01 million.
Love is now line for one of many richest contracts within the league and seems more likely to be part of the $50 million a 12 months membership. The latest quarterback deal was Trevor Lawrence’s with the Jacksonville Jaguars in June. It’s a five-year, $275 million deal that features $200 million in ensures. At $55 million a 12 months, Lawrence and the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow are tied for the very best common pay within the league.
Love threw for 4,159 yards with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions final season. He was one in every of simply 4 quarterbacks in 2023 to rank within the prime 10 in passing touchdowns (second behind the Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott), passing yards (seventh) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (seventh).
He began all 17 video games and after a 2-5 begin, the Packers completed 9-8 to make the playoffs. Love led them to a wild-card win over the Dallas Cowboys by which he threw three landing passes and no interceptions earlier than the divisional spherical loss on the San Francisco 49ers, which ended with a Love interception on the ultimate drive.
