The door isn't closed yet.
All signs had pointed to Romeo Doubs' departure, dating all the way back to last offseason. The Green Bay Packers drafted two receivers in the opening three rounds before handing Christian Watson an extension.
Doubs' name came up as a potential trade candidate before the season even began, and his cryptic social media post last month sure felt like a goodbye. But maybe not. Not yet, at least. While Doubs' expected market in free agency will make a reunion tough for the Packers to justify, it's not over yet, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
"The Packers can try to re-sign free agent receiver Romeo Doubs and/or extend tight end Tucker Kraft, a 2027 free agent," Fowler writes. "The door isn't closed on Doubs in Green Bay. I'm expecting both sides to at least have some dialogue and see if a return makes sense."
Packers have reportedly left the door open for a surprise reunion with Romeo Doubs
Doubs made an interesting comment at Radio Row this week, admitting that the Packers give him the best shot at winning a Super Bowl compared to the other teams interested in signing him. He made it clear he is open to a return but understands the NFL is a business.
It's a difficult decision for Green Bay.
The team invested a first-round pick in Matthew Golden, and he needs more opportunities. Golden showed glimpses of his WR1 potential throughout the season, especially with his four-catch, 84-yard, one-touchdown performance in the playoffs.
Then there is Christian Watson, who is the Packers' true game-changer. He is in line for a multi-year extension this offseason after catching 35 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns in just 10 games after returning from a torn ACL.
Jayden Reed remains a key piece of the passing game, as does Tucker Kraft. Dontayvion Wicks remains under contract, and we can't forget about third-round pick Savion Williams.
Can the Packers afford to commit $12 million per year to keep Doubs? That's his projected market value by Spotrac. It could go even higher than that if multiple teams show interest.
Doubs is undoubtedly a vital receiver for Jordan Love. His 55 catches for 724 yards and six touchdowns led the Packers this year, and he set the pace in the postseason with 124 yards and a score in a truly stunning performance in Chicago.
Is it enough? Could the Packers look a year down the line and view Reed as the receiver to move on from, not Doubs? Perhaps Wicks' time is nearing an end instead?
Fowler's wording is interesting. The door "isn't closed." That doesn't mean it's wide open, either.
All signs have seemed to point one way, which is Doubs landing a lucrative long-term deal elsewhere (hello, Jeff Hafley and the Miami Dolphins), but it's not a foregone conclusion yet. The Packers have left the door ajar, leaving them with one of many brutal decisions awaiting in a pivotal offseason.