Jayden Reed led the Green Bay Packers in receptions and yards last season, but also had several … More
The Green Bay Packers went 11-6 last season, sweeping the NFC West and the AFC South along the way.
Overall, though, no one in the building was happy.
The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.
Afterwards, general manager Brian Gutekunst turned up the heat on everybody in the building.
“We need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency,” Gutekunst said. “I think it’s time we started competing for championships.”
Those are fair expectations.
The Packers return 20 of 22 starters, and appear to have upgraded the roster via free agency and the draft. With several third and fourth year players trending upward, Green Bay should be poised to make a move.
“I think they’re ready,” Gutekunst said.
Now, it’s time for the Packers to prove their G.M. right.
Green Bay’s first training camp practice is July 23. Between now and then I will count down the ‘30 Most Important Packers’ heading into the 2025 campaign.
At No. 9 is wide receiver Jayden Reed.
No. 9
Jayden Reed, WR
Last season
Reed led the team in receptions (55) for a second straight year and had a team-best 857 receiving yards. His six touchdown receptions ranked second.
Reed also became the only receiver in team history to post 900-plus yards from scrimmage in each of his first two seasons.
Despite being the Packers’ top option in the passing game, there were seven games Reed had two catches, or fewer. And Reed’s receptions and touchdowns both dipped from his 2023 numbers.
“I think that we could have done better from a staff perspective of trying to put him in some more advantageous situations where he could have produced those numbers, because he’s an explosive player and he’s one of those guys that you want to get the ball to, no doubt about it,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Reed.
The Packers used their first round draft pick on wideout Matthew Golden and their third round pick on receiver Savion Williams. Shortly thereafter, Reed’s agent — Drew Rosenhaus — met with the Packers to discuss his client’s role moving forward.
“We clarified what we needed to clarify in house,” Reed said. “We clarified what I need to get better at, what they want for (me) and I’m here to just do my job and take care of those things.”
Career to date
Reed, a second round draft pick in 2023, had a tremendous rookie year.
Reed led Green Bay in catches (64), which also broke the single-season receptions record by a Packers rookie previously held by Sterling Sharpe (55). Reed also led Green Bay in receiving yards (793) and tied for the team lead with eight touchdown catches.
In addition, the Packers used Reed regularly on reverses and sweeps, and he finished the year with 119 rushing yards and two rushing TDs, despite battling a bevy of injuries.
Reed’s 10 total touchdowns in 2023 rank No. 3 in franchise history among rookies behind only receiver Billy Howton (13 in 1952) and running back Eddie Lacy (11 in 2013).
Outlook
Reed seems to be at an early career crossroads.
Reed’s brilliant rookie season led many to predict multiple Pro Bowls could be in his future. Instead, Reed was the forgotten man far too often in 2024.
Most of the blame for Reed’s disappearing act should fall on coach Matt LaFleur and his offensive staff. Reed has unique ability and should have been a focal point of the game plan every week, regardless of the opponent. Instead, LaFleur & Co. forgot about him far too often.
The Packers have more options in the passing game with the additions of Golden and Williams. But Reed should still be option No. 1.
Look for him to have him a big 2025 campaign.
They Said It …
“Sometimes stats aren’t always on the player. They could be on us, too, as a coaching staff. There’s going to be some games where it just doesn’t go that way. There’s a couple injuries throughout the time that were nothing that he had to miss a lot of games, but he was banged up a little bit, too, you know? And he’s the type of tough guy who’s going to play through everything, you know?” — Packers wide receivers coach Jason Vrable on Reed
“Yeah, it definitely started off hot. It’s a long season, and there’s ebbs and flows with every season. I think there was a point in time about midway through where he got a little bit banged up. Nothing serious, just the overall pounding, I would say, and I think it definitely took a little bit of a toll. But I also think that we could have done better from a staff perspective of trying to put him in some more advantageous situations where he could have produced those numbers, because he’s an explosive player and he’s one of those guys that you want to get the ball to, no doubt about it.” — Packers coach Matt LaFleur on Reed vanishing at times in 2024
“It’s hard. It’s football. You gonna take hits, so whatever I gotta do to help the team win, that’s my mindset, that’s what I’m gonna do. So I don’t really — I don’t know. I’m a player, so whatever the coaching tell me to do, that’s what I’m here to do, so I don’t make the rules. I don’t make the plays. I’m here to just run the plays and be here for my teammates.” — Reed on running jet sweeps
THE TOP 30
• No. 29 — WR Dontayvion Wicks
