Packers Re-Sign Key Player, One Still Waiting in the Wings

The Packers have re-signed Kenny Clark, but Jordan Love still doesn't have a deal.

The Packers have re-signed elite DL, Kenny Clark. Meanwhile, QB Jordan Love is still waiting for his new deal and is holding out of practice. 

Written by: Aaliyah McClead

Packers Say, 'Stay Awhile, Kenny Clark!'

This Sunday, the Packers announced that DL Kenny Clark will don the Green & Gold for the foreseeable future. Clark signed a $64 million three-year extension with the team and will see $29 million this year alone. This is his third contract with the Packers.

Usually, third contracts are huge risks for teams to take. Aging players are often injury prone, so it's rare especially with this business savvy Packers front office. However, Clark is only 28 years old, still young to be a third-contract player, and because his play has been outstanding, deserves every penny he'll get. During his eight seasons with the Packers, Clark has proved time and again that he deserves to be recognized for his heavy hitting on the field, devotion to the team, and durability. During the last five seasons, Clark has missed less than a handful of games, and has never suffered a major injury.

DL Kenny Clark is a third-contract player at 28, but shows no signs of slowing down.

#97 is also coming off one of the best seasons of his career. Clark has consistently plugged the middle against the run and pressured QBs since his second season as a Packer (2017-18), but he turned up the heat against his opponents in 2023. Clark produced 66 pressures, made 44 tackles, had a career best of 7.5 sacks, defended three passes, forced two fumbles, and became a Pro Bowler for the third time. Head Coach Matt LaFleur is a fan of Clark's, as well. He said,

"Kenny is the model of consistency, in everything he does. His approach. He was here participating all offseason. Just the work he puts in. He had the guys out with him in California, helping the young guys along. And you can always count on him, each and every Sunday. I'm really happy, ecstatic that we got that done. I think guys are fired up for him."

Kenny Clark forced the fumble. Kenny Clark recovered the fumble. 🙌 @KCBoutThatLife

📺: #MINvsGB on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/ePbCm6rlT4 pic.twitter.com/iiBmZiYUtt

— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2023

Clark's playmaking abilities are also set to improve with the new 4-3 defensive scheme the Packers are employing this year. There should be more opportunities for Clark to attack up-field. Matt LaFleur stated of the elite DL,

"He's good in any system. Hopefully there's more out there for him." 

Kenny Clark's stellar performance is set to improve with the new 4-3 defensive scheme.

As if Packers fans needed any more convincing, Packers GM, Brian Gutekunst, made it a point to state that the team fully trusts in Clark,

"Not only is he an elite player, but he's an elite locker room guy. [The choice to re-sign Clark] made a ton of sense. Quite frankly, for a third contract guy, which we don't do a ton of, he's still a very young player. He's played a lot of snaps, played a lot of football, but he's a very young player. He's built to last. Hopefully that is the case. [...]He's a model player that you want to build a program around. Obviously, he's a great player. He's been as consistent as you could ever imagine. We're really excited to be able to extend him and let him lead that group for the foreseeable future."

While the Packers have secured Kenny Clark for another three years, there's still one key player waiting in the wings.

 Jordan Love Holds Out for the Right Deal

Packers QB Jordan Love holds out of practice as he negotiates his contract with the team.

Last week, Brian Gutekunst released a statement that Packers QB Jordan Love would not practice until he received his contract extension. However, Love has taken part in all offseason activities up until now. Even after this announcement, Love showed up to camp on time and participated in activities other than practice. Love has made sure to give the contenders for backup QB some pointers while he sits out practice. This has benefitted Sean Clifford and draft steal Michael Pratt by giving them more time to practice and get more reps. This also gives the Packers a chance to select a backup QB that fits the team's needs on the field. Clifford went to bat for Love, noting his devotion to the team,

"He obviously wanted to be out there. He’s been pushing to get out there. I don’t even think it’s him [drawing the contract decision out]. It’s more of other people making sure that he’s taken care of. The organization is, as well. They’re doing their due diligence. [...] He's here. I got in here at 7. His bag was already in here. He’s in early, he’s staying late. He’s doing all the little things, so it’s no worry from the players. That’s for sure … he’s at every single meeting, he’s been through all of OTAs and now he’s got to handle what he’s got to handle. Obviously, I think we all would say we’d love to have 10 out there. That’s [obvious]. He’s our leader, he’s a hell of a quarterback, but I 100 percent will continue to take advantage of [practicing in his place] and whenever he’s back, I’m excited for him to be back, as well.”

Sean Clifford is just one of the QBs benefitting from Love's hold out.  

Still with all the drama ensuring, a deal between Love and the Packers is likely imminent. QB salaries across the league are rising. Lions QB, Jared Goff, recently signed for $53 million a year, and Jaguars QB, Trevor Lawrence signed for $55 million a year. It's likely that Love will get a lofty 4-year contract worth much more than those other QBs salaries. It's possible that Love could become the highest-paid player in NFL history. Such a deal would be based both on what Love has already accomplished and what the Packers expect of him. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst offered the media some reassurance about the contracting process,

"We’re working really hard to get that [contract] done. I think it’s really important for us. At the same time, the thing that I have confidence in is we both [Love and the Packers] want the same thing. We want Jordan here for a long time, give him that stability for him, and it gives us some stability for our group, as well. [Packers executive vice president] Russ (Ball) is doing a great job with David Mulugheta [Love's agent] and their team. You’ve got two people who are very experienced with this, so I’m optimistic. These are big deals. It takes time. They’re not as easy as some people may think. [...] Certainly, we’re very down the road. As far as we know he’s our franchise quarterback and we’re ready to move forward "

Jordan Love walks out for Day 1 of camp in sweats pic.twitter.com/vwxR47IhD8

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) July 22, 2024

Everyone in Green Bay is confident that Love has what it takes to be the Packers franchise QB and want him on the team. After all, Jordan Love is coming off a breakout first season in which he led the Packers to a surprising divisional-round playoff run. Love threw for 4,159 yards, 32 TDs, during the regular season. All that's left to do is to make a deal that's good for both Love and the team.

READ: PACKERS TOP 4 MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM THE 2023 SEASON