The Green Bay Packers organization has enjoyed an unrivaled consistency at the quarterback position — but that all could change given a shake-up within the organization.
While Jordan Love has the makings of a franchise quarterback, the Packers pushed their chips in early on Love, reaching a four-year, $220 million extension in 2024 after Love’s first year as a starter.
Love didn’t take a significant step forward in his second season after the massive payday. He was less productive as a passer and mustered another 9-win season, putting his career record at 18-15 through two seasons.
So far, it’s been good, not great, by Love — and his top-five contract at his position demands he do more and start to elevate his teammates in Year 3 as a starter.
Otherwise, Love could find himself in the hot seat as his cap hits grow in the latter half of his contract, when his earnings are largely held up in rolling guarantees that give the Packers the power to decide how to move forward with Love’s contract.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, newly promoted Packers CEO Ed Policy, replacing Mark Murphy, who is retiring in July after 18 years in the position, could be the man willing to move off Love if he does not start to live up to his contract.
“[Love’s] not on the hot seat per se, but he needs to play better in 2025 than he did in 2024,” Florio wrote. “If not, he will be on the hot seat in 2026. The wild card in Green Bay is new CEO Ed Policy, who operates as the de facto owner of the team.”
Jordan Love’s Contract Puts Packers in a Tough Spot
In fairness, Love has not benefited from the Packers’ pass-catchers. According to Sharp Football Analysis, Love led the NFL with 32.7% of third-down incompletions that were deemed the receiver’s fault.
This led to calls for the team to sign a true alpha wide receiver, such as DK Metcalf or Davante Adams.
However, the Packers had other matters to attend to, largely leaning on fortifying the offensive line by signing Aaron Banks to a big-money deal and currently negotiating with Zach Tom.
Green Bay has opted to let its player development program produce talent to help Love, but it’s on him to lift those younger receivers up this season.
“It’s Jordan Love time. Only one offensive player on the roster (two-time Pro Bowl guard Elgton Jenkins), and three players in total, predate the quarterback’s time with the team. He’s on a top-of-market deal, so the onus is on him to start lifting his teammates rather than the other way around,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote on June 30. “The roster’s still solid, but competitions at left tackle and receiver will help set the course for how far the team can go, and Love’s work through any bumps at those spots will be key.”
Matthew Golden Could be Key for Packers
A needed reinforcement has arrived in Green Bay.
Matthew Golden became the first wide receiver selected by the Packers in the first round in over two decades. The Packers have high hopes that the 21-year-old can become a true No. 1 wide receiver for Love.
Golden’s presence as a vertical threat will be relied on to hopefully open up the field for the rest of the offense with Christian Watson sidelined for likely the first half of the season.
If Golden can command that true alpha presence and draw the attention of opposing coverages, Green Bay’s offense will open up significantly and help Love exploit the soft spots.
