NFL analyst trashes idea of paying Jordan Love salary in line with $55,000,000 Trevor Lawrence contract
Jordan Love has filled Packers fans with apprehension since he was drafted in 2020. Some believed he had no chance of being a quality successor to Aaron Rodgers. By winning a playoff game in his first starting season with the franchise, some are talking about the team paying Love around $50 million per season.
Mad Dog Russo made it blatantly clear that he was against the idea. Speaking on Tuesday's edition of "First Take," Russo explained his reasoning:
Mad Dog Russo: "[00:03:55] They were 9-8 last year. ... against San Francisco in the [playoffs in the] last quarter and a half he was 5-for-9, 36 yards and two picks. He killed them in that game. And now you are going to pay him after one season $50 million to be your quarterback. What?"[[00:04:31][36.0]
Love's potential $50 million salary wouldn't put him as the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history or even of this offseason. If paid $50 million per season, Love would rank seventh in the NFL. Of course, the overall size of the contract could differ from the others, placing him higher even if his average salary remains at $50 million.
Various bonuses, incentives and the length of the deal can all create a contract more valuable or less valuable than other quarterbacks. With only one year of data to rely on, any expensive cost could be viewed as a gamble. However, the quarterback who receives the gamble often wants the biggest one they can receive.
Exploring lengthy list of names Jordan Love's potential $50 million would fall short of including Jalen Hurts
Jordan Love's new deal would be a big step up for him, but the Green Bay Packers quarterback wouldn't be setting too many records with his salary. It would likely be the most expensive salary ever paid to a Packers quarterback per Over the Cap, but it wouldn't break national barriers.
According to Spotrac, there would be six players still earning a bigger salary than Love. Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts all would earn more money per season. All six players received their deals within the last two seasons.
However, if Jordan Love could talk the Packers into paying him just roughly 11% more per year, his salary would rank first in the NFL. Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence are tied at the top at $55 million per year. The next closest to Jordan Love's $50 million would be Jalen Hurts at $51 million.
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "First Take" and H/T Sportskeeda.