The Green Bay Packers won’t have quarterback Jordan Love participating during the start of training camp on Monday while the two sides continue negotiating a new contract, but general manager Brian Gutekunst is confident a deal is close to getting done.
While a deal completed before the start of camp on Monday would have been the best-case scenario, Gutekunst said both sides want the same thing — a new contract that keeps Love in Green Bay with financial security for years to come.
“We’re working really hard to get that done,” Gutekunst said Monday. “I feel we’re close.”
The Packers open training camp with a practice on Monday.
Love, who has one year left on his current deal, isn’t holding out. He reported to the start of training camp and has been in all the meetings. Coach Matt LaFleur said Love would be at practice but not participating on Monday.
Love’s reps informed the Packers on Saturday night that he wouldn’t practice without a new deal.
Gutekunst said the Packers understand Love not wanting to risk injury until the deal is completed and are hopeful he won’t miss too much practice time.
There is good reason to think the Packers and Love will soon come to an agreement. Love is in Green Bay and participating in everything off the field. And Gutekunst’s belief that a new deal is close is probably the most telling sign.
Both sides have time. The Packers won’t practice in pads until later in the week, and the first big event — the team’s Family Night practice inside Lambeau Field — doesn’t arrive until Saturday, Aug. 3. The Packers don’t have a preseason game until Saturday, Aug. 10.
However, the clock is now ticking, and the Packers — a trendy Super Bowl pick — don’t want any lingering distractions during a hugely important training camp. Can the Packers and Love get something done in the coming days? Gutekunst said he’s “optimistic.”
“These are big deals. They take time,” Gutekunst said.
