The Green Bay Packers finally signed their franchise quarterback, Jordan Love, to the massive contract extension that the two sides have been working on for months. Green Bay’s 2020 first round pick has been given a four-year contract worth $220 million. The $55 million annual salary ties Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars for the highest yearly pay in the NFL.
As part of his deal, Love is also being given a $75 million signing bonus, which is the highest in NFL history. The $155 million in guarantees that Love is getting as part of his deal is a first for the Packers, who normally do not guarantee any money after the first year of a contract.
The Love extension also means that the Packers franchise quarterback has returned to practice. Unlike Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who is holding out, Love reported to training camp, but was holding in until the deal was done. In other words, he would not practice until the contract was signed.
Saturday marked his first practice of training camp and the first time Green Bay donned pads.
Green Bay Packers Quarterback Jordan Love Struggled Early in His First Training Camp Practice
![2 Green Bay Packers Stars Get into a Fight During Jordan Love's 1st Practice of Training Camp 1 Green Bay Packers, Jordan Love](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_23347869_168400517_lowres-168x300.jpg)
As one might have expected, Love appeared a bit rusty in his first session of training camp. He missed wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks on a few wide-open throws, but his biggest mistake came on a lob throw to tight end Luke Musgrave. Love tried to float a pass to his second-year tight end, but linebacker Quay Walker made a diving interception.
Jordan Love tosses his first pick of camp. Looked like he was trying to hit a checkdown, but ended up throwing to nobody. Quay Walker comes from NOWHERE to make a diving grab before football hits the ground.
Really athletic pick from the #Packers linebacker. Good sign.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) July 27, 2024
Love started the day 1/8 with an interception.
However, the newly crowned highest-paid quarterback in the NFL did not stay struggling for long. In the second session of practice, he hit wide receiver Christian Watson for a 50-yard completion against cornerback Eric Stokes.
He also hit a variety of his playmakers for gains throughout the period:
Only took 1 period. Jordan Love has heated up.
Hits Jayden Reed on out in front of Xavier McKinney for 15.
Hits Christian Watson on crosser vs McKinney for 20.
Hit Romeo Doubs on crosser for 16.
Avoided sack with check down to Josh Jacobs.
Spreading it across field. Vintage.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) July 27, 2024
This really is the first sign of life for the Packers offense since training camp began earlier this week. Backup quarterback Sean Clifford has struggled mightily against the new scheme of Jeff Hafley, who was hired as defensive coordinator when Joe Barry was fired after the 2023 NFL season.
In each of the practices that Love missed due to his contract negotiations, the defense was named the “winner” of the day.
Green Bay Packers Stars Dontayvion Wicks and Keisean Nixon Get into a Fight During Practice
![2 Green Bay Packers Stars Get into a Fight During Jordan Love's 1st Practice of Training Camp 2 Green Bay Packers, Dontayvion Wicks, Keisean Nixon](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_22295265_168400517_lowres-255x300.webp)
According to Ryan Wood, who covers the Packers for USA Today, the first padded practice also brought the first scrum of training camp.
Apparently, wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks and cornerback Keisean Nixon got into a physical altercation during the first session of Saturday’s practice:
First team period of first padded practice of camp. And we’ve got our first fight. Dontayvion Wicks and Keisean Nixon going after each other after a rep. Scrum ensues.
The piss is hot.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) July 27, 2024
Of course, this is not uncommon during any NFL’s team’s training camp. Both competitive players, it makes sense that their emotions would spill over on the practice field.
As mentioned, practice went on with mixed successes for both offense and defense.
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