On Friday night, Jordan Love, the former understudy to Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers, officially became the highest-paid player in NFL history. In a show of support, Rodgers wasted no time congratulating his fellow quarterback during an appearance on NFL Network after practice with the New York Jets.
Rodgers’ Congratulatory Message
- Shoutout to Love: “I want to give a shoutout to Jordan Love becoming the highest-paid player in the NFL,” said Rodgers during the show.
- Humorous Advice: He added, “J-Love, don’t spend it all in one place. But if you do, I still have a house in Green Bay up for sale.”
Love’s Reaction to Rodgers
- Direct Contact: Love revealed that Rodgers reached out to him on Friday night after the news broke about Love’s new contract.
- New Contract Details: The Packers agreed to pay Love $55 million a year with a $75 million signing bonus.
Training Camp Update
Jordan Love reported for his first training camp practice on Saturday after holding out until his new agreement was finalized. Despite the wait, there was never much doubt about whether the contract would get done.
Current Quarterback Market Overview
Highest-Paid Quarterbacks
The quarterback market is highly competitive, and Love’s deal has set the tone. Here’s how some of the recent contracts stack up:
| Quarterback | Annual Salary | Signing Bonus | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Love | $55 million | $75 million | Highest-paid in NFL history |
| Tua Tagovailoa | $53.1 million | N/A | Recent extension |
| Joe Burrow | $55 million | N/A | Tied with Love |
| Trevor Lawrence | $55 million | N/A | Tied with Love |
| Dak Prescott | Pending | N/A | Last year of current deal |
| Patrick Mahomes | $45 million | N/A | Tied with Kirk Cousins |
The Shifting Landscape of NFL Contracts
- Rodgers’ Previous Record: Rodgers was the highest-paid player in the NFL back in 2022, signing a three-year deal worth $50.27 million per season after a successful 17-year career with the Packers, which included a Super Bowl win and four NFL MVP awards.
- Love’s Unique Position: Love has only started one season but is now at the top of the quarterback market due to the timing of his deal.
Future Considerations
- Other Players in the Market: The only remaining quarterback who could surpass Love’s contract is Dak Prescott, who is entering the final year of his current deal.
- Team Dynamics: Dallas owner Jerry Jones is balancing contracts for Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons, making for an interesting offseason in terms of contract negotiations.
Rodgers’ Comeback Journey
As for Aaron Rodgers, the 40-year-old is practicing with the Jets as he works towards a comeback from the Achilles injury that sidelined him in the opening game of the previous season.
Jordan Love’s record-breaking contract signals a new era for the Packers, while the dynamics of the quarterback market continue to evolve. With support from veterans like Rodgers, Love’s journey as a starting quarterback in the NFL is just beginning.