The Packers Need to Get Jayden Reed More Involved in the Offense
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers need to get wide receiver Jayden Reed more involved in the offense in the final four weeks of the regular season. Reed remains one of the team’s most dangerous offensive weapons, but in recent weeks, his role has been reduced. Last week against Detroit, Reed had only one target and did not catch a pass.
Early in the season, Reed was the most productive Packers receiver. He went over 100 yards receiving in two of the first four games of the season. The Packers were getting the ball to Reed in many different ways.
Reed was able to get open downfield for big gains. Head coach Matt LaFleur also designed plays for Reed. There were frequent passes to the former Michigan State star behind the line of scrimmage. Reed also carried the ball on jet sweeps and end arounds and was effective in that role. For the season, he’s gained 128 yards rushing on 13 carries, a healthy 9.8 yards per attempt.
Reed seemed to be the most reliable player for the Packers to turn to when they needed a big play. He has a catch percentage of 74.6 and is averaging 15.8-yards per catch despite the high number of passes he caught later in the season behind the line of scrimmage.
After a strong start to the season, things started to slow down for Reed. In the last four games, he caught eight total passes for 73 yards, an average of just 9.1-yards per catch.
After the Lions game, LaFleur admitted he needs to get Reed more involved in the offense. “Now where we can be better is, and I talked to Jayden about this, is just making sure that we have some of those plays for him in the game plan where he’s tagged to go in there and play wide out, because obviously, he’s a very impactful player,” LaFleur told reporters.
The Packers offense took a while to find its identity. Now, the primary weapon of the offense is running back Josh Jacobs. The passing game builds off the running game, rather than the other way around.
In the passing game, the Packers do not have a clear-cut number one receiver. A different player will get the most targets depending on the matchups, game situations and who is most effective during the course of a game. Through the first 13 games of the season, six different players have led or tied for the team lead in receptions in any given game. Reed has led the team or tied for the team lead more than any other player.
Reed proved his worth in 2023. He set a new Packers rookie record by catching 64 passes, breaking the old record of 55 set by Sterling Sharpe back in 1988. He led the team in catches and receiving yards and tied for the team lead with eight touchdown catches.
He impressed LaFleur with the way he handled himself. “He’s just a heck of a competitor,” LaFleur said of Reed after the 2023 season. “He’s helped us not only in the pass game obviously, but just getting the ball in his hands on reverses, arounds, whatever it may be, screens. I love how he competes, both in the run game and pass game. He’s made plays when given opportunities.”
Going forward, the Packers know they can’t ignore Reed and have to get him more involved in the offense. For the offense to reach it’s potential, it has to maximize its weapons and that includes Watson, Doubs, Reed, Kraft, and Jacobs.
We’ll see if Reed bounces back this week and in the other three games left in the regular season. The Packers will need him to be a bigger part of the offense down the stretch if they hope to realize their potential and compete with the biggest contenders in the NFC.
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Comments (20)
Since'61
December 14, 2024 at 10:32 am
Prior to the season part of the annual survey asked which Packers receiver would have over 1000 yards receiving. I selected Reed to be that receiver.
He is currently at 693 for the season so he has over 300 yards to go with 4 games remaining. He needs a least 2 big games to reach the 1000 yards mark.
Regardless of how many yards Reed has for the season I believe that he is the Packers best receiver and he needs to get the ball more often than he has recently.
Jacobs and Reed are the two best weapons the Packers have and MLF needs to get the ball to them more often. Jacobs should be more involved in the passing also. Doubs return is good news for the Packers since I believe he is the Packers best weapon after Jacobs and Reed. Then Kraft and Watson.
In any case I agree with the author that MLF needs to get back to designing plays for Reed. These 4 upcoming games against NFC opponents are all Important for the Packers playoff seeding. Get the ball to their best players. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61
jannesbjornson
December 14, 2024 at 08:22 pm
Yes, Maybe LaFleur needs to get more involved in the Game. The guys who want to win are Reed, Kraft and Jacobs. They consistently make the big plays along with Watson. Fun and games are over. Now it's crunch time.
dobber
December 14, 2024 at 10:46 am
I think Reed and Watson are the playmakers in the WR corps and Doubs is the steady possession guy who seems to be Love's security blanket. When Wicks catches the ball, he's somewhere in between.
The flexibility of the offense to push looks toward the guy the defense isn't keying on is a strength, and something that we all seem to like after watching someone force-feed the ball to another WR (who that someone was recently reunited with, but hasn't resulted in winning football games).
The offense will be more dynamic if they scheme ways to get the ball in the hands of those two guys--so I agree: the lack of touches for Reed the last couple weeks (especially in the absence of Doubs) is surprising. That said: what balance of touches is enough?
splitpea1
December 14, 2024 at 11:13 am
There's only one ball, and with so many options, someone is always going to get shortchanged.
If we want to get Reed more involved, try to get him more touches early--not only in the slot, but lining up outside. I know MLF's new favorite weapon is Jacobs, but I would like to see more of a mixture, maybe including Reed, on first and second downs.
Just for the record, the reason MLF stated for the spare usage of Reed against Detroit was that he wanted to use bigger personnel against their defense, which meant more of Watson and Wicks.
jannesbjornson
December 14, 2024 at 08:25 pm
Run more plays. Control the time of possession. Stay in rhythm.
LLCHESTY
December 14, 2024 at 11:43 am
I'm guessing if you watched the all-22 of the last few weeks it would be clear why Reed's numbers have dropped and Watson's numbers have climbed. DCs hate giving up big plays so I'd expect those numbers to reverse soon.
LambeauPlain
December 14, 2024 at 12:16 pm
"The Packers do not have a clear-cut number one receiver." No, they do not. I don't care. It has not been a reason for the 4 losses. In fact, it has been a reason for their 9 wins.
They DO have a near clear cut number one NFL group of 11 personnel: JJ, Tucker, Watson, Doubs, and Reed. That's a migraine for DC's to plan for. Who do you focus on? Double up?
Reed in the slot makes the IOL offense hum with his motion, jet sweeps, screens when he's not running routes and catching his targets... and blocking...which he also does well.
The 12 personnel offense looked to be potent group in the preseason...Musgrave's injuries shelved that for the most part. But the 11 group is one to be feared going into the stretch run and the playoffs...especially with how well Love is again playing during the Christmas Season.
Leatherhead
December 14, 2024 at 01:20 pm
"""They DO have a near clear cut number one NFL group of 11 personnel: JJ, Tucker, Watson, Doubs, and Reed"""
Yes, that's our preferred grouping. Those are the guys that we would want on the field on our last possession. I think it's a real good group, certainly good enough to win with as long as they get some blocking.
When we put Watson-Doubs-Reed on the field, the opponent has to counter with the nickel defense. That's only going to leave you with six run defenders against the 5 offensive lineman AND the TE, so it's six on six. That's a real good situation for a running back.
If the defense tries to get more guys in position to help with the run, then we throw it downfield to some guys who can really run. I like it. The key is making them use 5 guys to contain our WRs, or else pay a price.
jannesbjornson
December 14, 2024 at 08:28 pm
Ben Sims is under utilized. He's a solid receiver in his own right. Playmaker for Baylor.
White92
December 14, 2024 at 12:34 pm
I feel like other teams have figured out the jet sweep/end around. MLF is going to have to get more creative now. Let's hope he has some answers.
GregC
December 14, 2024 at 01:17 pm
Yeah, they had a lot of success with it early in the season, then defenses prepared for it and stuffed it most of the time. Reed had a big gain on one just a couple games ago, though, and the threat of the jet sweep helps soften the middle of the defense for Jacobs, so they should probably run it at least once per game. Just don't run it deep in the opponent's territory please. That usually doesn't work.
TKWorldWide
December 14, 2024 at 01:47 pm
As long as the offense moves the ball and scores points, the who’s and how’s don’t matter a whole lot. Better to have threats all over the field than to ride just one or two players.
Mister Chievous
December 14, 2024 at 08:11 pm
the coaches can start by not calling any more jet sweeps in the red zone. why in hell would they think that will work?
Mister Chievous
December 14, 2024 at 08:16 pm
we just don't have a great receiver on the team. half the NFL teams have a receiver better than our best, whoever that is. hell, the rams have two.
murf7777
December 15, 2024 at 07:00 am
I agree with your assessment. So, are you saying that’s good or bad? I tend to think it’s good because we are not spending 30+M in salary cap to keep them. It’s a huge advantage, If your total receiving group is better than those who have that one great WR because you can spend that salary cap elsewhere. I think the Packers as a group of receivers (WR, TE & RB) are in the top 5-10,
GregC
December 15, 2024 at 07:59 am
I was happy with this WR group coming into the season, but now I'm leaning more toward thinking the Packers need at least one WR who is better than any they have now. You don't win championships with players who are merely good--you need a handful of great players, and WR is a position where you usually need one.
Having said that, I'm waiting to see how the season plays out. I am still holding out hope that this WR group will be good enough to get us over the top. Any of our top four appear capable of elevating their game to an elite level. We just haven't seen enough signs yet that it is actually going to happen with any of them.
Mister Chievous
December 15, 2024 at 12:45 pm
just an observation that will not find favor with most Packers fans. I'm not talking about tes and rbs. would be nice to have a game breaker. our receivers aren't bad. just average which may be good enough. lafleur schemes them open but not much yac
stockholder
December 15, 2024 at 07:21 am
If Reed wanted the ball.
He'd get the ball.
Sure he plays with heart.
And MLF could target Reed every play.
No doubt he can make a difference.
But why use him up or over use him?
Reed must play with purpose and success.
And keeping the offense charged,
takes more than just 1 weapon.
I'm sure MLF didn't shift away from Reed.
He just wants the right combination, to
unlock everyones potential.
nagawicka
December 15, 2024 at 01:32 pm
TOTALLY AGREE
nagawicka
December 15, 2024 at 01:31 pm
Nah, Romeo Doubs needs to be more involved. Reed is *already* involved & producing, it's a big mistake to lean too heavily on the little guy/obvious go-to. Reed is made much MORE effective spreading it around and choosing the right moment to go to him.