‘Show me the greens’ drama? The Inexperienced Bay Packers have been there, achieved that – and discovered some robust classes alongside the best way. After the extended saga surrounding Aaron Rodgers‘ extensions years back, which ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler described as a scenario the place they “decided to pause most business,” the franchise is decided to deal with Jordan Love’s take care of a “cleaner” method.
The sense of urgency is palpable, pushed by the concern of the value tag turning into “exponentially higher” in the event that they don’t lock him down quickly, as NFL insider Mike Garofolo warned on The Wealthy Eisen Present in the present day.
With younger weapons like Trevor Lawrence (5-year, $275M with $200M assured) and Joe Burrow (5-year, $275M with $219M assured) resetting the quarterback market, signing Love earlier than coaching camp may save the Packers a hefty chunk of change – a state of affairs GM Brian Gutekunst appears eager to keep away from going “mission: impossible” over.
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Love’s breakout 2023 marketing campaign was nothing in need of a money-grabbing efficiency. The 25-year-old completed because the runner-up in landing passes (32 TDs) whereas throwing for 4,159 yards and main the Pack to the divisional spherical, silencing doubters together with his “making of a franchise QB” upside, as Garofolo put it. This speedy ascent has Inexperienced Bay cautious of a possible “Moneyball” scenario the place delaying may imply paying “that big number” and having Love be a part of the NFL’s highest-paid “club.”
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But, Love is redefining what it means to be an elite signal-caller in in the present day’s “scoring by committee” NFL. “I think you don’t have to have a No. 1 receiver,” he boldly acknowledged after a season the place 4 Inexperienced Bay wideouts topped 600 yards, thriving and not using a true “alpha dog” by spreading the wealth and holding defenses on their toes, a lot to go coach Matt LaFleur’s delight at having “all those guys” step up because the lead man.
Jordan Love’s “Straight Outta Compton” gambit
Love’s mastery on the line of scrimmage, altering performs with easy “signals” to unlock the offense’s full potential, showcased a younger QB firmly in his “Dazed and Confused” bag over the ultimate 10 video games (2,616 yards, 23 TDs, 3 INTs, 112.1 ranking). His means to orchestrate this balanced assault has some, like former NFL exec Mike Tannenbaum, suggesting he may pursue a “Space Jam” stage payday by betting on himself for over $60 million per yr in 2025.
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It’s a “Back to the Future” state of affairs that might see Love take up a $33 million “hit” by passing on a possible $50 million extension now. However as daring as that “No Guts, No Glory” gambit sounds, the Packers have discovered from previous dramas – they need “stability at that position,” as Gutekunst bluntly acknowledged, to “have some security with the way we build our team.”
Securing an All-Professional expertise like Love at a relative low cost may show to be Inexperienced Bay’s shrewdest “Moneyball” transfer but. An unconventional conductor commanding an offensive “Revolution?” In Titletown, that’s the form of “Sweet Caroline” tune each cheesehead desires of.