Thanksgiving is the holiday when families get together and celebrate the reasons they are thankful for. But it doesn’t end with just families. It is also a time for football fans to celebrate why they are thankful for their favorite NFL teams. For Green Bay Packers fans, that list of reasons to be thankful isn’t as long as it has been in seasons past. Sitting at 4-6 and dealing with a season of transition, Packers fans will have to think long and hard. But there are reasons and players, that should give them hope and be thankful for. At the top of that list is rookie wide receiver Jayden Reed.
Jayden Reed Tops the List of Reasons Green Bay Packers Fans Should Be Thankful
The offseason Aaron Rodgers trade meant the Packers were entering a new chapter in their very long storied history. It meant the franchise was starting over. In NFL terms, they were rebuilding. As Rodgers got older, fans knew (or should have known) this was bound to happen. Not all good things last and the time had come for the Packers to move on from their longtime franchise player.
So far, it has been a difficult transition. The Packers have had more bumps than successes so far this season. New starting quarterback Jordan Love has shown some promise in his first full year as a starter. One of those times was this past weekend against the Los Angeles Chargers. Love led the Packers to a 23-20 victory, throwing for 322 yards and two touchdowns. But he has also struggled at times, which was highlighted during the Packers four-game losing streak.
But not everything has been doom and gloom for the Packers this season. Sure, it looks pretty doubtful that the Packers will reach the playoffs this season. Especially if you factor in Green Bay’s next two games against the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. Still, with it being Thanksgiving time, we are going to look at the bright side. There are some players and factors that Packers fans have to be thankful for. Today, we take a look at those players and factors.
The Play of Jayden Reed
When the Packers decided to start a new chapter, that meant they would rely heavily on their young players to contribute and contribute immediately. That was especially the case with the Packers young wide receivers. General manager Brian Gutekunst bet on second-year players Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs making a big leap in their second seasons. So far, it looks like the bet is paying off when it comes to Doubs. He leads the Packers in receptions (38) and touchdown receptions (7). He has become Love’s go-to receiver. The same can’t be said for Watson. The former North Dakota State product has missed time with injuries and has struggled with inconsistencies. He displayed big-play ability in his rookie season but hasn’t duplicated that so far this season.
But the Packers have found someone else to contribute to their passing attack. Second-round rookie Jayden Reed has looked great in his first season. He is third on the Packers in receptions (32) and second in touchdown receptions (4). He leads the Packers in receiving yards with 463 yards. His ability to make plays after the catch has been a huge asset for the Packers passing game. That ability was on display against the Chargers when he caught three passes for 46 yards with a touchdown reception.
The Packers haven’t had an electric slot wide receiver since the early years of Randall Cobb. Reed has a ways to go to match what Cobb did in his Packers career. But Reed is starting to look like he might be just as good as Cobb or even better. The passing game isn’t the only part of the offense that Jayden Reed is flashing either. He has 65 yards rushing on five carries with one touchdown carry. As Watson continues to struggle, expect Reed to become an even bigger part of the offense. Gutekunst has struggled when it comes to selecting wide receivers, but if this season is any indication, it appears he finally hit on one in Reed.
A Tight End with Pass Catching Ability
Jayden Reed isn’t the only pass catcher that is contributing in his rookie season. Fellow second-round pick tight end Luke Musgrave has contributed as well. The Packers haven’t had an explosive pass-catching tight end since Jermichael Finley was on the roster. While Musgrave might not have the overall athletic ability Finley once possessed, he does have high-end speed and the ability to get open.
Musgrave is currently second on the team in receptions (33) and third in receiving yards (341). The one area that Musgrave needs improvement is getting into the end zone. So far he only has one touchdown reception. However, that isn’t all on Musgrave. As a unit, the Packers have struggled in the red zone, a place that Musgrave should be thriving. Matt LaFleur, the head coach, and play-caller, needs to do a better job getting Musgrave more involved in the red zone. Musgrave is a mismatch for linebackers and even safeties. He needs to get his number dialed up more.
Tom Establishing Himself as a High-End Offensive Tackle
It has been a struggle for the Green Bay Packers offensive line so far this season. With David Bakhtiari lost to a season-ending knee injury, the Packers have been forced to rely on a combination of Yosh Nijman and Rasheed Walker at left tackle. Both have struggled at times. Starting right guard Jon Runyan Jr. has also had his struggles, something that was unexpected. Starting center and former second-round pick Josh Myers continues to be the weak line of this line. Elgton Jenkins looks to have finally recovered from his 2021 season-ending knee injury. But he still doesn’t look like the same player he was before the knee injury.
One bright spot has been the play of starting right tackle Zach Tom. He has held down the starting right tackle spot throughout this season and has looked good while doing it. In just his second season, Tom has taken over the title of most athletic Packers offensive lineman for Jenkins. If the Packers keep him at right tackle, Tom could eventually become one of the best starting right tackles in the NFL.
While Tom could be one of the best to play right tackle, there is a chance he could be the long-term answer at left tackle for the Packers. Tom has the size and the athletic ability to thrive on the left side. With there being doubt that either Nijman or Walker can be the answer to replace Bakhtiari, the Packers might be best off to shift Tom to the left side this off-season. The Packers are expected to have a higher draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, so if they do shift Tom, they could replace him on the right side with a first-round draft pick.
The Final Days of Barry as the Packers Defensive Coordinator
Okay, we lied. We said we would keep it positive on this list of things to be thankful for, but this has to be said. Packers fans should feel thankful that it appears that this season will be the last they have to deal with Joe Barry as the Packers defensive coordinator.
As we have said over and over, LaFleur should have never hired Barry to be the Packers defensive coordinator. Keeping him in the position was just as bad. While the Packers haven’t been as bad as what Brandon Staley is doing with the Chargers defense, it is still bad. Gutekunst has spent big through the draft on improving this defense and it just hasn’t happened with Barry as the defensive coordinator. His expiration date has come and it’s time for LaFleur, at the conclusion of the season, to make a change. If LaFleur finally does that, Packers fans will be very thankful.
Main Photo: Wm Glasheen – USA Today Sports
