Jordan Love was picked in the first round, 26th overall, in the 2020 NFL Draft. At the time, Aaron Rodgers’ future with the franchise was in jeopardy, as it is again nearly three years later.
As of March 8, Rodgers hasn’t publicly announced his intentions to play, retire, or request a trade, though recent reports of Rodgers’ visit with the New York Jets suggest he and the Packers are considering a divorce.
“A contingent of Jets team officials, including owner Woody Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, flew to California on Tuesday to meet in person with Rodgers, sources said,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported.
Is this the start of the Jordan Love era in Green Bay?
Jordan Love Contract & Salary
In 2023, Love has a $2.3 million base salary and a $3.9 million cap hit.
He’s entering the fourth season of a four-year, $12.4-million rookie deal that included a $6.6 million signing bonus. His average salary on the deal is $3.1 million per year.
Jordan Love Fifth-Year Option
The Packers must decide to exercise or decline Love’s fifth-year option by May 1.
The value of the fifth-year option depends on a tier system, which depends on playing time and Pro Bowl selections.
Through three seasons, Love has played in just 10 games with one start. He’s completed 50 of 83 passes (60.2%) for 606 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
After Rodgers left the Packers’ game in 2022 against the Eagles in the second half due to a rib injury, Love looked impressive. He completed 6 of 9 passes for 113 yards with no interceptions and a 63-yard touchdown throw to Christian Watson.
JORDAN LOVE ➡️ CHRISTIAN WATSON 63 YARDS
pic.twitter.com/CfmxlMKTLd— PFF (@PFF) November 28, 2022
But because of his limited opportunities the past three years, Love would be eligible for a fifth-year option that would be the average of the third- to 25th-highest paid salaries at quarterback over the past five seasons.
To give some perspective, the fifth-year option for quarterbacks in this tier drafted in 2019 would’ve been $19.6 million.
That’s significantly more than Love has been making and it would be a lot for the Packers to cough up for someone who could end up as a backup for that year. Perhaps a Love trade is a possibility at some point, but it would likely have to be soon so a team knows what he’s capable of before giving him more money.
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