The strategy is paying off for the Green Bay Packers.
The team chose Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the intention of him eventually taking over for Aaron Rodgers.
Initially, the decision faced significant backlash.
However, it’s a blueprint the Packers have effectively implemented before, as they selected Rodgers in 2005 to take over from Brett Favre.
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Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after an NFL wild-card game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on January 14, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
After the Packers traded Rodgers to the New York Jets, Love was thrust into the starting role, and he had a strong first full season.
That success has reportedly led to an impressive contract extension for Love. He has agreed to a four-year extension worth $220 million with the team.
This averages out to an annual salary of $55 million, which ties him with Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow for the largest in NFL history, while the total amount is the highest ever for a four-year deal, surpassing Tua Tagovailoa’s reported agreement with the Miami Dolphins made earlier this week.
Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers looks to throw a pass during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field on December 17, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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Additionally, Love received a $75 million signing bonus along with $155 million in guaranteed funds.
With this new contract, he becomes the eighth quarterback to earn an average salary of $50 million annually, joining the ranks of Tagovailoa, Lawrence, Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert, Jared Goff, and Lamar Jackson—each of whom signed such deals since last year.
This development occurred after the Packers’ media relations team unexpectedly cut off Love’s media session at training camp following a question about his contract status.
Originally, Love had hinted that he wouldn’t participate in practice until a deal was finalized, but it seems he will be back on the field shortly.
He began the 2023 season strongly, throwing three touchdowns in each of his first two games. However, in his subsequent six games, he threw only six touchdowns against eight interceptions.
Nevertheless, from Week 10 on, he was exceptional. Including the postseason, in his last 11 games, he accumulated 2,905 passing yards, threw for 25 touchdowns, and completed 67.9% of his passes.
Love and the Packers clinched the seventh seed in the NFC, achieving a remarkable victory over the second-seeded Cowboys in Dallas.
Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers throws a touchdown pass during the first half of a game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 7, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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The Packers were leading the top-ranked San Francisco 49ers 21-14 late in the third quarter during the divisional round, but ultimately the Niners rallied to claim victory.
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