Jordan Love is embracing the Packers’ evolving passing-game approach, and the benefits will eventually become obvious in 2026
After spreading the ball and divided reps for the last few years, Green Bay is more willing to concentrate the offense around its top receivers.
Over the past few years, spreading the ball around had been the name of the game for the Green Bay Packers’ offense. But things are about to change. Head coach Matt LaFleur and his coaching staff had some issues handling personalities in the wide receiver room last season, so now the approach will be different.
The Packers allowed Romeo Doubs to walk to the New England Patriots in free agency and traded Dontayvion Wicks away to the Philadelphia Eagles. Even though the roster has some depth pieces, the passing offense will inevitably be concentrated on wide receivers Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Matthew Golden — in addition to tight end Tucker Kraft. And quarterback Jordan Love is buying in on that approach.
“I think it’ll be great,” Love said during mandatory minicamp. “Rome and Wicks are gone, not in the offense anymore. So there’s gonna be a lot more opportunities for these guys, those three right there, to get a lot more reps and a lot more opportunities to catch the ball. So I’m excited. J-Reed and Christian have been guys who’ve been here, they’ve been consistent, and they know what they’re doing out there. And then I think for MG [Matthew Golden], like I said, it’s just having that jump from Year 1 to Year 2 and being as consistent as possible.”
More quality on the field
Hopefully for the Packers, that change in approach will result in better players having more playing time and catches. While the previous model based itself on using hyper-specific skills to design a gameplan, this one is about making sure that their best weapons are more involved.
“When all three of those guys are on the field at the same time, I think we’re gonna be a dangerous offense,” Love added. “I can’t wait to build upon it.”
Depth is a question
Last season, both Watson and Reed handled injuries and missed significant time. The downside of the new approach is that depth isn’t as safe as it used to be. Besides the top 3, the depth chart has question marks and a lot of uncertainty.
Savion Williams was a third-round pick last year, but he was mostly utilized as a gadget piece. Skyy Moore has offensive experience, but the Packers signed him to play as a returner on special teams. At the moment, the sixth receiver is Bo Melton, who’s back to the offensive room after a year splitting time on defense.
The other developmental pieces are Jakobie Keeney-James, Will Sheppard, Isaiah Neyor, Brenden Rice, and undrafted rookie J. Michael Sturdivant.
“And then just finding those next guys below that,” Love mentioned, “who can step up and make plays when their name is called upon.”
The Packers are willing to see what Watson, Reed, and Golden can be with more volume. And that’s something that can materially alter the offensive structure in 2026 and beyond.