By all accounts, the Green Bay Packers defense has dominated the offense during this first week of training camp.  I would like to think the main reason for that is the scheme and motivational approach led by new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.  I would like to think it is because he has the right players lining up in the right places to give them the maximum chance of being effective.  I would like to think it is because of the intense competition the front office has created across all levels on that side of the ball. 

But deep down inside, I know better. 

I strongly suspect the main reason the Packers offense has struggled through the first series of workouts is because the guy who makes it go is watching instead of playing.  As of this writing, Jordan Love had still not signed his contract extension.  He will not take part in practice until his new deal is completed and signed.  The perception from the outside has been that the announcement is imminent.  That it’s coming any day now.  But as the first week of camp rolls on, the situation becomes a little more uncomfortable each day. 

There are little signs things are not going well.  The Packers brought in a fourth quarterback to share the camp load.  Not sure they would have done that if they expected Love’s agreement to be forthcoming quickly.  Love himself has stopped talking to the press.  Brian Gutekunst says these kinds of negotiations are very big and take time.  None of this necessarily means there is a standoff, but it’s not exactly encouraging either. 

In the meantime, Love watches.  And what he is seeing is not pretty.  Sean Clifford has been operating as the first team quarterback and observers are not giving glowing reports about his performance, nor that of any of the signal callers for that matter.  In Wednesday’s practice there were no less than five interceptions, and apparently could have been three or four more.  Not fearing the pass, the defense has swallowed up the run game as well.  Granted, all of this took place without pads.  Saturday is to be the first padded workout and perhaps things will change, but it seems to me pads will only allow the defense to charge faster and hit harder. 

Regardless of how supportive his teammates are, this situation has to be incredibly awkward for Love, for the coaches, and the other quarterbacks.  Not to mention the fact that Love needs the practice.  He’s not a ten year veteran who knows the offense as though it is second nature.  The reps he is missing are costly to the cohesion and timing of the unit.  He hasn’t lined up under center and taken a snap with his teammates since mini camp ended. 

The troubles exhibited by the offense in camp are clearly working in Love’s favor.  With every pick thrown by the back-ups, the pressure on the team to relent on whatever the sticking point is in the talks ratchets up a notch.  Since neither side is talking, we don’t know what’s holding up the deal.  There have been reports the problem is guaranteed money beyond the first year, something Green Bay generally does not do.  If that’s true, this could go on for a while.  The team has to seriously consider the impact of all of their future contracts if they break policy for Love. 

I have seen criticism of the Packers for not having their quarterback signed and sealed before camp began, but I suspect Love and his agent were in no hurry to wrap things up, because they had no leverage in May or June.  Now, with the urgency of week one bearing down, they do indeed have leverage.  Perhaps all of the leverage. 

It’s difficult for me to see any benefit to the team from holding out against Love’s demands, assuming those demands are not outrageous.  There is quite obviously no alternative to turn to at quarterback.  Clifford and rookie Michael Pratt are not close to being ready to start an NFL regular season game.  There’s no one out there to sign or trade for that can step right in and lead Green Bay to the playoffs.  The Packers must have Love signed by opening day.  That’s a given.  Meanwhile, every practice he observes as a spectator makes him less ready for that opener in Brazil against the Eagles.  Surely the front office needs to recognize they have little or nothing to gain by waiting.  They have to capitulate sooner or later. So why not sooner? 

For the time being, the whole matter doesn’t seem to have become contentious or divisive.  But make no mistake, it is hurting the team.