Jordan Love, Packers Agree to 1-Year, $22.5M Extension
Analysis 5/2/23
The Green Bay Packers showed even more faith in their new starting quarterback, Jordan Love, on Tuesday. The Packers and Love agreed to a one-year, $22.5 million contract extension, including $13.5 million guaranteed, ESPN reported. The contract ties Love to the Packers through the 2024 season.
Tuesday was the deadline for the Packers to exercise Love's fifth-year option, but they decided to give him an extension instead. Love's option would've paid him just more than $20.2 million. The former first-round pick will be the Packers' starting quarterback this season after sitting behind Aaron Rodgers for four seasons.
>> READ: Fifth-Year Option Tracker
After a lengthy public saga, Rodgers officially was traded to the New York Jets on April 24, opening the door for Love to lead the Packers' offense. In four seasons, Love has made just one start, a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs midway through the 2021 season. Love's best performance came in a relief effort against the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
Love was 6 for 9 passing for 113 yards and completed a 63-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Christian Watson. He led three Packers' scoring drives, resulting in 13 points.
Despite Love's limited playing time, The 33rd Team analyst Mike Martz is among Love’s biggest fans.
“From what I’ve seen of this kid, I’d hang onto him. I’d bet the ranch on this guy,” Martz said. “I’d equate Love to Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers in that regard. They have that presence that when a defense moves them off their mark, they’re not going to panic. You know they’re going to stand in there and make throws, take it and find a way to win. You can see it in both players’ body language. I’m big on body language, and it’s something you can’t underestimate.”
Packers brass remained confident all offseason that Love was ready to lead the team this coming season.
“We have a lot of confidence in him [Love]. We drafted him and developed him. A lot of credit goes to our coaches and to Jordan. We do think he’s ready,” Packers president Mark Murphy said earlier this offseason.
The Packers proved they were committed to surrounding Love with a lot of offensive playmakers during the 2023 NFL Draft. The team selected two tight ends (Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft) and Michigan State WR Jayden Reed on Day 2, giving Love even more weapons to use alongside Watson and Aaron Jones.