Biggest winners and losers from massive Jordan Love deal with Packers

Talk about an eventful start to training camp. Despite Jordan Love not practicing while contract negotiations continued, the Green Bay Packers remained confident it wouldn't take long.

Love missed four practices, but none in pads, before becoming the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history. He signed a four-year extension worth $220 million, with a huge $155 million guaranteed. The former first-round pick also received an NFL-record signing bonus of $75 million.

Clearly, Love is the biggest winner here. He had to wait for his opportunity in the NFL, spending his first three seasons sitting behind Aaron Rodgers. Love worked hard to improve his game and showed MVP potential in his first year as the starter, leading us to this moment.

Who are the biggest winners and losers after Love's extension?

Winners and losers after Jordan Love signs huge extension with Packers

Winner: Matt LaFleur

Matt LaFleur must be sick of quarterback uncertainty over the summer. For multiple years, he had to answer questions about Aaron Rodgers' future. Now, when we all thought that was behind us, LaFleur had to navigate the first week of training camp without Love.

Those concerns are in the history books. With Love under contract through 2028, LaFleur can focus on the offense's development. This is a young but extremely talented group. LaFleur got the best out of them last season, and it's exciting to think how much growth we'll see in 2024.

He doesn't have to watch Sean Clifford leading the first-team offense in a mismatch against Jeff Hafley's new-and-improved defense.

Love is back, and to steal a phrase from Jim Ross, business is about to pick up.

Loser: The rest of the NFC North

Fans of the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings were delighted when Brett Favre left town. Then, they had to deal with Aaron Rodgers for a decade and a half and laughed when the Packers traded him. Now, they have to face yet another star quarterback in Green Bay.

Love's future was never in doubt, but this new contract ensures he will remain a Packers player for the foreseeable future. As it's an extension, the Utah State product is under contract for another five years. By then, he will have the opportunity to land an even bigger extension at age 30.

The Packers believe they have done it again, and that's the worst possible news for the rest of the division.

Winner: Dak Prescott

Jordan Love may have eliminated Dak Prescott's Cowboys in January, but he is doing him a big favor here. Prescott only has a year remaining on his contract and can't be franchise-tagged next offseason. The Cowboys have to pay him at some point, and Love's deal ensures the former fourth-round pick will land an even bigger extension.

Love is the league's highest-paid quarterback for now. Whether it's with Dallas or another team in free agency, Prescott will likely shatter that record in the months ahead, potentially becoming the first player to earn $60 million annually.

The quarterback market is rising fast, and Prescott is up next.

Loser: Mike McCarthy

What's going on in Dallas? Jerry Jones hasn't given long-term deals to Prescott, head coach Mike McCarthy, or All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. All three have expiring contracts at the end of the season.

The Cowboys' decision not to extend Prescott's deal sooner will cost them. Love's new deal likely drives the price up for Prescott, who could land $60 million annually.

McCarthy faces an uncertain future of his own, and the last thing he needs is the added distraction of Prescott playing in the final year of his contract. Jones isn't exactly setting his team up to succeed. But, hey, that's no problem for Green Bay.

The former Packers coach is on the hot seat, and his best two players on offense have expiring contracts and uncertain futures in Dallas.

Winner: Packers' receiving corps

The Packers have arguably the most exciting receiving corps in the league. A combination of Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks offers so much potential. But they need reps with Love.

The non-padded practices are less important, but with the pads going on this weekend, the Packers couldn't afford to sacrifice valuable reps between Love and his pass-catchers.

Building timing, chemistry, and rhythm is important between now and Week 1. With the contract done, Love can get to work with his teammates.

Loser: Sean Clifford

While Love didn't practice, Sean Clifford took the reins as QB1, and it didn't go particularly well. It's not all on Clifford, who received little help from the offensive line, but the second-year quarterback repeatedly turned the ball over. It didn't do his chances of winning the backup job any favors.

Love's return will significantly reduce Clifford's reps moving forward. He will now split backup duties with rookie Michael Pratt, limiting his opportunities to bounce back from a difficult opening week.

There's still plenty to play for, especially once the preseason begins, but Clifford now has fewer reps to prove why he should remain Love's backup.

Winner: Brian Gutekunst

How great must Brian Gutekunst feel right now? He received over three years of criticism for his bold decision to draft Jordan Love. The Love pick was always going to define his tenure as general manager. It placed a countdown timer on Aaron Rodgers' Packers career, eventually leading to a trade with the New York Jets.

Even Pat McAfee questioned whether Gutekunst was a "smart person."

Yep, turns out he's pretty smart. Love silenced his doubters last season and now has the contract he deserves after four years of hard work.

Gutekunst hit a home run.

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