Division rival's decision couldn't come at a worse time for the Packers

Could you imagine, two years ago, that Jared Goff would get $53 million per season? Yet, here we are. The Detroit Lions just gave an extreme, surprising four-year, $212 million extension to the quarterback, elevating once again the quarterback market.

Goff has, in fact, played well for the Lions. Especially over the last two seasons, the former first overall pick has elevated his performance and proved that, with a good supporting cast around him, he can take his team to the top of the league — and playing at a higher level than he did when he was just a piece of the puzzle with a Super Bowl run with the Los Angeles Rams in 2018.

But that's the big question now. Throughout his NFL career, Jared Goff has been dependent on his surroundings. And if he's making $53 million per year, it's much more difficult for Lions general manager Brad Holmes.

However, that's a problem for the Detroit Lions, and this is a Green Bay Packers article.

How does it impact the Packers?

At first, Goff's extension could be beneficial for the Packers, since an NFC North rival — and the current favorite team to win the division — will eventually get weaker after this decision.

But the Packers also have to reach a contract extension with their quarterback, and Jordan Love is obviously more valuable than Goff in the market. Love is four years younger than Goff and, after a promising first year as a starter, it's fair to say that the Packers' passer has a much higher ceiling.

Contract value

A couple of weeks ago, A to Z Sports had a piece about Jordan Love's market. For the most part, contract and cap analysts thought the Packers would have to pay Love something between $44 million and $52 million per season to extend Love.

Now, after Goff's extension, it's extremely difficult for Green Bay to keep that projection. Most likely, Love will surpass his divisional rival's yearly average.

Don't be surprised if Jordan Love gets $55 million per season or more.

How can it work?

The priority for the Packers at this point shouldn't be discussing the total value or yearly average of the deal. Jordan Love will win that battle.

The Packers' goal has to be about structure. Ideally, Green Bay needs a longer contract — a five, maybe even six-year extension. That would allow the front office to spread money around and work through the cap increase, which is a significant part of the equation nowadays.

Even if $55 million is a lot of money, that will look much more team-friendly in a couple of years. If the Packers can find a way to extend Love through 2031, for example, it's viable to structure the deal in a way to still have flexibility to build a strong team around the quarterback.