Packers: Equanimeous St. Brown enters make-or-break season

After an impressive rookie season in 2018, things haven’t gone to plan for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown.

In his first year, St. Brown caught 21 passes for 328 yards, but he had some great moments along the way including an incredible catch in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers. Without EQ that evening, it’s unlikely the Packers come from behind to win.

Following his rookie season, the Packers made a change at head coach, transitioning from Mike McCarthy to Matt LaFleur. St. Brown looked to be a perfect fit in LaFleur’s offense.

Unfortunately, St. Brown’s 2019 season ended before the first game. He suffered an ankle injury in the preseason and was placed on injured reserve. He didn’t play a single game all year in LaFleur’s first season as head coach.

His wait to play continued into the 2020 season. EQ was a healthy scratch in the season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings, and then again landed on injured reserve. New IR rules meant he only missed three games this time, and made his return in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he had two targets but no receptions.

St. Brown made his first catch of the season in Week 8 against the Vikings, which went for 12 yards, but his snap counts remained limited.

His opportunities increased slightly as the season went on, but St. Brown struggled to make an impact, finishing the regular season with just seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. He had two catches in the playoffs but also a crucial drop on a two-point conversion in the loss to the Buccaneers.

Entering training camp this year, St. Brown faces more competition than ever for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Allen Lazard are all roster locks. Add in third-round pick Amari Rodgers and Devin Funchess, and EQ is likely behind all five of them. If the Packers keep six receivers, St. Brown will have to compete with Malik Taylor, who was part of the 53-man roster a year ago.

If St. Brown does secure a spot on the roster this summer, it will be a make-or-break year. He is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season, so will need to make a bigger impact to earn a new deal with the Packers in 2022.