To those who had been closely monitoring the situation, the news on July 27 that Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers had agreed to a record-breaking four-year, $220 million contract wasn’t exactly shocking.
Ever since the Packers were eliminated in the divisional round of the playoffs the previous year, it was a topic of public discussion.
Many people, however, find the entire and guaranteed amount of money surprising, mostly because of the unusual career route the young 25-year-old had chosen.
In just his first season as a full-time starter, Love has amassed 4,159 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a passer rating of 96.1. He is now tied with Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow for the highest annual salary of any quarterback in the NFL ($55 million).
Packers are taking a chance, but it might be very profitable.
His lack of long-term success is what many people find confusing about this agreement, but naturally, that’s not his fault, since he hasn’t had the chance to have any. Not even in his own draft class are there circumstances that are very similar to Love’s.
While Love started just 18 games at the end of the 2023 season, the first five quarterbacks selected in the 2020 NFL Draft all signed significant deals with the team that selected them.
Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, who inked a five-year, $110 million contract in November 2008, was among the few athletes to receive an extension so early in their careers. Love played the entire season, but Rodgers signed a contract just three months into his rookie season.
Both quarterbacks have had similar career paths, sitting behind Hall of Famers for several seasons before assuming the reigns with as high of expectations as possible. That new contract will definitely be money well spent if Love keeps handling things the way he has.
