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The Green Bay Packers are starting training camp without their most important offensive player. Quarterback Jordan Love has informed the team he will not practice until his long-awaited contract extension is finalized by the front office.
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This is NOT a holdout by Jordan Love. He's in the building and will participate in meetings. He just isn't taking the field until both sides can finalize a contract extension, which could happen very soon.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 22, 2024
Love's extension is expected to exceed $50M per year. https://t.co/MtUCao2irM
Though Love's absence could be misconstrued as a holdout, NFL insider Ari Meirov offered more insight into the situation unfolding.
Love is not engaging in a holdout. The current situation is instead being described more as a "hold in." Love will be part of meetings and he is in the building, he will just not be engaging in practice until the deal between both parties is finalized.
According to Meirov, "This is NOT a holdout by Jordan Love. He's in the building and will participate in meetings. He just isn't taking the field until both sides can finalize a contract extension, which could happen very soon. Love's extension is expected to exceed $50M per year."
Love and the Packers have been thrust into new contract negotiations for quite some time, and it appears that both sides are close to a deal already. Instead of taking the field, Love has instead decided to wait until his new deal is agreed upon before he will begin training camp with the rest of the team.
It's understandable that Love wants his new deal set in stone, as he has been responsible for rebounding the Packers after the exit of Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers would leave after the 2022 season, signing a deal with the New York Jets.
Though many believed the Packers would be far worse off with Love under center, he orchestrated a successful season with a 9-8 record, then led the team to an NFC Divisional Playoff game. Even more impressive is that the Packers nearly beat the San Francisco 49ers for a chance to make it to the NFC Championship game.
The Packers lost 21-24, and Love finished the game 21 for 24 with 194 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. The 49ers defense was tough all season, but the Packers nearly pulled off a huge upset.
Despite the early playoff exit, Love had a successful season in 2023. Finishing the season with 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Love finished No. 7 in yards, No. 2 in touchdowns, and No. 11 in passer rating.
Love showcased what the Packers thought all along in his first season at the helm. Love was taken No. 26 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Utah State. Though the NFL was shocked by the decision, the proverbial writing was on the wall that Rodgers' time was nearly up.
Love will now serve as the franchise quarterback for the Packers, and a new deal will need to be in place for him to continue training camp.
About the writer
James Brizuela is a contributing sports writer located in Los Angeles. His focus is on Comics, Comic Book Movies, Video ... Read more