Jordan Love to Play in Packers' NFL Preseason Opener vs. Browns After $220M Contract

Jordan Love will play during the Green Bay Packers' Saturday preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, according to head coach Matt LaFleur (h/t ESPN's Rob Demovsky.)

The news comes less than two weeks after the Packers made Love one of the highest-paid players in NFL history by signing him to a four-year, $220 million extension.

"I think there was a lot of value of going through, getting your mind right to get ready to play a football game," LaFleur said. "Obviously we're going to be smart with those guys. The last thing we want to do is put guys at risk. I mean, there's an inherent risk, right, every time you go out on the field, but we'll be smart with him.

"But at the same time, I do think just the preparation of getting ready for a game is invaluable, and why not use those opportunities?"

Love appeared in all three of the Packers' preseason games last season prior to his first campaign as the team's starting quarterback.

LaFleur said that the majority of the team's starters would earn playing time alongside Love against the Browns' preseason squad, per Demovsky.

Not all Green Bay starters will be making an appearance. LaFleur said that offensive tackle Zach Tom will sit out amid recovery from offseason surgery, while running back Josh Jacobs is questionable due to a groin injury, Demovsky reported.

Love put together a 2-1 record during the run-up to the 2023 regular season, connecting on 21 of 33 passes for 193 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 32 yards on five rushes in a preseason effort LaFleur described as showing "poise," then went on to surpass 4,000 passing yards while making all 17 starts for the Packers.

LaFleur said Tuesday that it had been "beneficial" for the 2023 starters to "knock some of the rust off" before taking on the Chicago Bears in Week 1.

But playing Love will still present a risk, and other franchises are playing it safer with their starters of the future. Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Tuesday that the risk of injury was "a factor" in the team's decision to rest quarterback Bryce Young during their own preseason opener.

Putting starters on the field during the preseason could be especially important for the Packers' defense, as it will give Jeff Hafley a chance to see his new-look defense in action. The Packers' new DC will be implementing a 4-3 base defense, which relies on four down defensive linemen in front of three standing linebackers, rather than the 3-4 defense the team deployed under Joe Barry.

The Packers will need to make sure that structure is ready to go before the team takes on a contender for the top of the NFC during their Sept. 6 season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.