Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love will not participate in training camp practices until he finalizes a contract extension with the team. Players were required to report to training camp Sunday at Nitschke Field in Green Bay, Wis. Love’s ‘hold-in’ strategy is used by players who report to practice, but don’t participate amid contract disputes — will not result in fines. Players who hold out — or don’t report to camp amid such disputes — are fined for their absences from the mandatory practice sessions.
Packers’ general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters Monday shortly before the team’s first practice of training camp that Love’s representatives informed him Saturday night of their plans before a deal gets done. Love did report for training camp on time and take part in meetings and other training camp activities except for practice. Previously, Love took part in the entire offseason program and the team’s mandatory minicamp in June to fulfill requirements for a $500,000 workout bonus. (per ESPN.)
Gutekunst shared with reporters during a press conference: “Saturday night, they [Love’s representatives] informed us that until we get something done, he would not practice. This is something we’re all working on. We certainly understand where he’s coming from. We’d like him to be out there. It’s important for him to be out there.” Gutekunst added that he believes the Packers and Love are close to another agreement: “We are working really hard to get that done. I think it’s really important for us. At the same time, the thing I have confidence in is that we both want the same thing. We want Jordan here for a long time, give him that stability for him and gives some stability for our group, as well.”
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said second-year pro Sean Clifford will handle the first snaps with the starters, but the reps will be split 50-50 between Clifford and rookie Michael Pratt. LaFleur said former NFL quarterback Sean Mannion, who was hired as an assistant coach this offseason, will help with throws during drill work. When asked how long they can sustain that without adding a third quarterback, LaFleur said: “That’s a great question. Obviously we’re hopeful we’ll get something done here in the next … sooner than later. But that’s something that we’re going to have to just adjust on the fly.” LaFleur added that he was not concerned about Love and the offense losing the momentum they had built last season and into the offseason program, sharing:“I know how he prepares, so, I’m not overly concerned about that.”
Love, 25, was the No. 26 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft but was inactive during the 2020 campaign, and spent the next two seasons backing up former Packers starter Aaron Rodgers. In 2023-24, his first season as a full-time starter, Love started all 17 games and completed 64.2% of his throws for 4,159 yards with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The Packers signed Love to a one-year, $22.5 million extension for 2024 last off-season.
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