Aaron Rodgers, the star quarterback for the New York Jets, made headlines by agreeing to a significant pay cut. His new contract reduces his two-year earnings from $108.7 million to $75 million, a 31% drop. This move is intriguing because it not only affects Rodgers’ future but also sheds light on the Green Bay Packers’ new quarterback, Jordan Love.

With Rodgers now with the Jets, the Packers’ focus shifts to Jordan Love, their new starting quarterback. The Packers drafted Love in 2020, and he recently signed a contract extension worth $13.5 million for one year, with the potential to earn up to $22.5 million, which would make him the highest-paid NFL player with the Packers. The former QB Chase Daniel and Jason McIntyre discussed Jordan Love’s contract on The Herd with Colin Cowherd.

Chase Daniel stresses investing in QBs

Jason talked about Love’s contract and asked Chase, “How do you handle paying quarterbacks as a guy who was a quarterback? You know I’m curious just to your thoughts.” Chase Daniel replied, emphasizing the importance of investing in quarterbacks, both starters and backups. He said, “Pay them, pay them, pay them.“ Underscoring the critical role quarterbacks play in a team’s success. Daniel highlighted how last season saw many starters get injured, making it essential for teams to have reliable backups. His statement reflects the high value placed on having a capable quarterback lineup to maintain team performance and stability.

When discussing Jordan Love, Daniel said, “I am a huge Jordan Love fan.“ This endorsement indicates Daniel’s belief in Love’s abilities and potential to succeed as a starting quarterback.

Love’s 2024 salary is set at $11 million, influenced by his performance and the team’s success in 2023. His cap number for 2024 is $12,757,731. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has indicated that preliminary contract discussions have already started. Comparisons between Jordan Love’s contract negotiations and Aaron Rodgers’ early contracts are inevitable. 

Jordan Love’s contract: A reflection of Rodgers’ early contract

Rodgers signed his first major extension with the Packers in 2008, averaging $12.704 million per year. Despite having a smaller track record at that time, Rodgers quickly became one of the highest-paid players in the NFL.

Jordan and Rodgers have similar stats in their fourth NFL seasons. For example, Love played 17 games, completed 372 of 579 passes (64.2%), and threw for 4,159 yards with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, achieving a 96.1 passer rating. Rodgers, in his fourth season, played 16 games, completed 341 of 536 passes (63.6%), and threw for 4,038 yards with 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, achieving a 93.8 passer rating. One key difference is that Jordan made significant progress in the second half of the 2023 season, leading the Packers to a 6-2 record and a playoff berth.

While Rodgers’ move helps the Jets financially and strategically, it also sets a high benchmark for Love. The Packers, who have historically been willing to pay top dollar for their quarterbacks, now face the challenge of ensuring Love feels valued and committed to leading the team.