Jordan Love, the Green Bay Packers' quarterback, has agreed to a record-breaking contract extension worth $220 million over four years. This makes Love the highest-paid player in NFL history with an average annual salary of $55 million.
Love had a breakout season in 2023, leading the Packers to a road playoff win over the Dallas Cowboys and becoming one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league. His impressive performance earned him this lucrative deal.
The contract includes $155 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $75 million. Love's rookie deal was set to expire, so the Packers had to get creative with his contract situation.
Love's path to becoming the Packers' starting quarterback was unusual. The team drafted him in the first round of 2020 despite having Aaron Rodgers under contract. However, after Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets in April 2023, Love took over as the starter.
In his first season as a starter, Love threw for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 regular-season games. He had a near-perfect passer rating of 157.2 in the Packers' playoff win over the Cowboys.
Despite his success, Love missed the first four training camp practices as he waited for a new contract. The Packers were close to reaching an agreement before training camp started but couldn't finalize it until now.
The record-breaking deal ties records for most valuable quarterback contract in terms of total value and average annual value. Love is now under contract with the Packers through 2028.