Green Bay Packers fans witnessed a promising debut season from quarterback Jordan Love last year, raising questions about his potential for a sophomore slump in 2024. Love stepped into the starting role following the trade of four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, and his performance exceeded expectations.
In comparison to Rodgers’ final season with the Packers in 2022, Love’s numbers were impressive. Rodgers had a 64.6% completion rate, with 3,695 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Love, in his first season as a starter, recorded a 64.2% completion rate, throwing for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. These statistics demonstrated that Love not only matched but in some aspects surpassed Rodgers’ last season performance in Green Bay.
With Love establishing himself as a capable starting quarterback, the Packers are now considering a substantial contract extension for him. The current quarterback market is setting high benchmarks; for instance, Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff recently secured a four-year extension worth up to $212 million, averaging $53 million annually. This places Goff among the top-paid quarterbacks, trailing behind Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts.
Reflecting on Aaron Rodgers’ contract history with the Packers, he received a three-year, $150 million deal after his 2021 MVP season, only to have a disappointing season in 2022. Given Love’s performance, his agents will likely argue for a contract exceeding $50 million per season, positioning him among the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks.
Whatever the Packers decide to pay Love this offseason is expected to be considered a bargain in the future. The situation is reminiscent of when the Kansas City Chiefs signed Patrick Mahomes to a 10-year, $450 million deal, which seemed enormous at the time but now appears modest as Mahomes is no longer among the top five highest-paid quarterbacks by annual salary.
The central question remains: will Jordan Love experience a regression in his second year as a starter? His first season’s success suggests he has the potential to avoid a sophomore slump, but the pressures of a new contract and heightened expectations will be significant challenges. Packers fans and analysts alike will be closely watching Love’s performance in the 2024 season to see if he can maintain or even surpass his impressive debut.
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