GREEN BAY — If you’re worried about Jordan Love’s “hold-in” as the Packers and their quarterback remain without an agreement for a contract extension, pop open X and watch the couple videos circulating of Love strolling out to practice with head coach Matt LaFleur on the first day of training camp.
Love donned a white long-sleeve shirt, gray sweats and white Nike sneakers instead of his uniform as he sits out of practice until he has a new deal, but the video conveys the reality of the situation inside 1265 Lombardi Ave. right now: there doesn’t seem to be much worry. Love’s camp, led by agents David Mulugheta and Andrew Kessler, informed the Packers on Saturday that Love wouldn’t practice until the ink is dry even after the 25-year-old second-year starter participated in all offseason activities, including voluntary ones. Love still reported to Lambeau Field on time last week and will participate in everything else besides practice, general manager Brian Gutekunst said on Monday morning.
Jordan Love walks out for Day 1 of camp in sweats pic.twitter.com/vwxR47IhD8
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) July 22, 2024
Gutekunst said Love sitting out practice is “not unexpected” and that the Packers “certainly understand where he’s coming from,” while adding that he feels the Packers and Love are close to a deal but that there’s no specific timetable for how long it might take.
“We’re working really hard to get that done,” Gutekunst said. “I think it’s really important for us. At the same time, the thing that I have confidence in is we both want the same thing. We want Jordan here for a long time, give him that stability for him, and it gives us some stability for our group, as well. (Packers executive vice president and cap guru) Russ (Ball) is doing a great job with David Mulugheta and their team. You’ve got two people who are very experienced with this, so I’m optimistic. These are big deals. It takes time. They’re not as easy as some people may think.”
Gutekunst has known for some time that he wanted this contract to get done, so why isn’t it yet? He wouldn’t delve into what has complicated these negotiations but left no doubt that the Packers want Love here for the long haul. Fans might have some PTGD (post-traumatic Gutekunst disorder) since the GM said in February that he “absolutely” expected Aaron Jones back for the final year of his deal, but then the Packers wanted Jones to take a massive pay cut and he signed with the Vikings. This isn’t a running back that the team views as expendable, but rather a franchise quarterback whose future isn’t to be messed with.
“Certainly, we’re very down the road as far as we know he’s our franchise quarterback and we’re ready to move forward,” Gutekunst said. “It’s not like we’re trying to make that decision. But at the same time, we want to put the best team around him we can and we want to make sure that there’s certainly the structure of it so that we can do what we need to do for our football team moving forward, not only this year but in years to come is very, very important.”
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At Monday’s practice, Love hung around the quarterbacks, talked with staff members and even did his customary pre-practice high-fives with the running backs. Backup quarterback Sean Clifford, who took the starter’s reps, said Love was giving him pointers on maneuvering in the pocket since there were a couple times protection faltered and Clifford faced pressure. You’d be safe betting that Love wants to practice, but that it’s his representation making the decision not to for him.
“He obviously wanted to be out there,” Clifford said. “He’s been pushing to get out there. I don’t even think it’s him. It’s more of other people making sure that he’s taken care of. The organization is, as well. They’re doing their due diligence.”
LaFleur has no concerns about Love’s ability to get mental reps since he’s seen Love prepare behind the scenes for four-plus years, but he said it’s the physical reps that are most important that he’s missing out on by not practicing. Though LaFleur said the mindset and intensity are ramped up from offseason work because it’s training camp, the first couple of practices that Love might miss are without pads.
There might be more reason to worry if Love’s hold-in carries into padded practices, joint practices and even the week before the regular season. The latter two scenarios don’t seem likely, though, and until then the vibes appear relatively upbeat as the Packers begin preparations for a Super Bowl push with their quarterback part of most of them.
“He’s not in California. He’s here,” Clifford said. “I got in here at 7. His bag was already in here. He’s in early, he’s staying late. He’s doing all the little things, so it’s no worry from the players. That’s for sure … he’s at every single meeting, he’s been through all of OTAs and now he’s got to handle what he’s got to handle.
“Obviously, I think we all would say we’d love to have 10 out there. That’s (obvious). He’s our leader, he’s a hell of a quarterback, but I 100 percent will continue to take advantage of it and whenever he’s back, I’m excited for him to be back, as well.”
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With Lions quarterback Jared Goff ($53 million per year) and Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence ($55 million annually) recently signing massive extensions, it’s possible Love will set the bar and he’s the highest-paid player in NFL history. Yes, he’s only played about half a season worthy of the payday he’s likely about to get, but that’s business in the NFL, a league in which you’re paid based on what you’ve done, but also what you’re projected to do. And remember, if the Packers pay Love, say, $56 million per year, that could look like a bargain in a few years if he continues on his current trajectory.
“That’s our guy and we think he deserves every penny he’s going to get,” wide receiver Christian Watson said, “and more.”
Four things to know
1. Second-year safety Anthony Johnson Jr. started alongside Xavier McKinney in the offseason, but rookie second-round pick Javon Bullard was with the starters during the first team period on Monday. The Packers transformed their safety position this offseason, with none of their top three from last season returning and a high-priced free agent signing and promising rookie the top two on the depth chart to start camp.
“It’s definitely important to me,” Bullard said of starting right away. “Like I said, I want to play and wherever the coaches see that be fit, that’s on them. But I’m trying to (put) my best foot forward to be in a position to feed my family and make this team successful.”
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2. The Packers have three kickers on the roster, incumbent second-year kicker Anders Carlson, veteran Greg Joseph and James Turner, who was Michigan’s kicker last season en route to a national title before going undrafted. It was Turner’s turn to kick at Monday’s practice and he went 4-of-6 on field-goal attempts, hitting from extra point distance, 38 yards from the right hash, 41 yards from the left hash and 44 yards from between the hashes. He missed wide right from 43 yards on the left hash and from 46 yards wide right on the right hash.
“Right now, at least we have the roster flexibility to carry three kickers,” Gutekunst said. “So until somebody wins that job, we’ll keep churning it and moving down that road until somebody wins it.”
3. Right tackle Zach Tom returned to practice in a limited capacity after tearing his pectoral this offseason, while tight end Tucker Kraft is still sidelined with the same injury. Also not practicing were safety Kitan Oladapo (broke his toe at the combine), running back MarShawn Lloyd (hip), cornerback Corey Ballentine (hamstring), offensive tackle Caleb Jones (hamstring), offensive lineman Donovan Jennings (knee) and wide receiver Jayden Reed (toe).
Reed suffered his injury at his youth camp recently and Gutekunst joked that an 8-year-old might’ve beaten Reed on a route. That’s how you know the injury isn’t too serious.
“A little freak accident,” Reed said. “Wasn’t wearing the right attire. Kinda jammed my foot up a little bit, but I’m good. Nothing to worry about.”
Jayden Reed says the toe injury suffered at his youth camp that has him on NFI to start camp is “nothing to worry about.” pic.twitter.com/e6xezpTVgQ
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) July 22, 2024
4. The Packers’ starting offensive line is far from solidified and Monday only offered a little insight into what coaches think. The first five were, from left to right, Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Sean Rhyan and Andre Dillard, the Eagles’ 2019 first-round pick whom the Packers signed this offseason after his stint with the Titans. Rookie first-round pick Jordan Morgan was second up at right guard and Jenkins got reps at center, where he played in college and has also played in the NFL. Tom didn’t participate in team work as he eases back from his torn pec, so that might explain both why Dillard started at right tackle and why Jenkins is currently the backup center.
(Photo of Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love at Packers training camp Monday: Mike Roemer / Associated Press)
