“It’s a Lot of Money for a Guy Who Hasn’t Played”: Despite Breaking Ties With Aaron Rodgers, Packers General Manager Undecided on Jordan Love’s $20 Million Commitment

After months of relentless back and forth, the Green Bay Packers have moved on from Aaron Rodgers. With Rodgers headed to join the New York Jets, the Packers have put all their eggs in Jordan Love’s basket. Just the mere decision to move on from someone of Rodgers’ caliber showcases the trust the Packers’ front office has in Jordan Love, but maybe they didn’t have another choice.

Rodgers believed that his time with the Packers had reached its conclusion, and just like many years ago, the mantle had to be passed. But what’s next in store for Jordan Love? Filling in Aaron Rodgers’ shoes is certainly a tall task for the 2020 first-round pick, and maybe even the Packers might have to weigh their options carefully.

Is Jordan Love a gamble?

In the short span of his NFL career, Jordan Love has only ever started one game, and even that debut ended in disappointment as the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes trashed the Packers. The most concerning factor would still have to be Love’s pass-completing percentage, and while his athleticism allows him to be a threat, Jordan Love’s game heavily relies on pocket presence. The Green Bay Packers GM, Brian Gutekunst, is well aware of these loopholes and maybe thus raised these doubts.

During a brief interaction with the media, GM Brian Gutekunst was asked about Jordan Love and his fifth-year option and why the Packers might not roll with it.

“It’s a lot of money for a guy who hasn’t played, but at the same time, we’re moving forward with him,” were the sentiments echoed by the Packers GM. Gutekunst further clarified that the Packers were closely breaking down every foreseeable hindrance they could face and that he had until Tuesday to figure out the exact logistics. But is Jordan worth it?

An interesting option

Fifth-year options usually come in four tiers: Multiple Pro Bowls on the original ballot ($32.416 million), one Pro Bowl ($29.504 million), playing time (75-plus percent or greater in two of first three seasons, an average of 75-plus percent over all three seasons or 50-plus percent in all three seasons; $23.171 million) or none of the above. As we all are well aware Jordan Love does not fulfill any of the criteria. But still, the Packers would have to dish out $20.27 million if the option is taken. The number was reached by the average of the third- through 25th-highest salaries among quarterbacks, and if the Packers indulge then the entire salary would be guaranteed.

Read More: Jordan Love Breaks Silence With a 4-Word Message Days After Aaron Rodgers Leaves Packers Stranded

With Brian Gutenkunst at the helm, the Packers have taken a massive gamble by allowing A-Rod to walk away. While there are plenty of parallels between Rodgers-Love and the Favre-Rodgers transition, Rodgers still enjoyed at least seven starts throughout his years playing behind Brett Favre and proved that he was the best possible alternative for the future, on the other end Love still needs to carve a name for himself.

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