Tucker Kraft is on an All-Pro trajectory. Christian Watson is one of the most explosive receivers in football and just needs to stay healthy. Matthew Golden is a first-rounder with unlimited upside.
We hear about those players a lot. For good reason, I should add. But even with Romeo Doubs now in New England and Dontayvion Wicks in Philadelphia, it feels like Jayden Reed isn't getting enough attention. Perhaps it's due to the two injuries that cost him 10 games last season. Maybe it's because he's never had a 1,000-yard season.
Regardless of the reason, Reed has quietly become an overlooked piece of the Packers' offensive puzzle, but that will soon change. It's about time we had a little reminder of his importance to this team.
Jayden Reed is set for his best season yet with the Packers
Even Reed's contract extension came in at a surprisingly low number. It's hard to believe he accepted $16.75 million annually, which ranks 31st among wide receivers. It's a bargain deal for the Packers, and it could look even better later this year.
Reed only played in seven games last season. He battled through a reported Jones fracture in the opening two games, but then suffered a broken collarbone, requiring surgery for both injuries.
His production took a hit, of course, but you only have to look at his first two seasons in the league to understand his value. Reed led the Packers in receiving both years, catching a combined 119 passes for 1,650 yards and 14 touchdowns in 33 games.
Matt LaFleur uses him all over the field. Reed lines up primarily in the slot, although he will occasionally take the ball out of the backfield. LaFleur sends Reed in motion and finds ways to get the ball to him in space. There's a reason why he was Jordan Love's most targeted receiver from 2023 to 2024.
It's easy to forget how explosive Reed is, too. He isn't just a reliable receiver who can make a few nice plays in the short-to-intermediate passing game. Once Reed gets the ball in the open field, he can take it the distance. He's one of the team's best at generating explosive plays after the catch. The Packers missed him badly last season.
Reed's 70-yard catch-and-run touchdown in Brazil. His 35-yard score in Pittsburgh. He's also a threat on the ground – he had a 33-yard rushing touchdown in the Sao Paolo game against Philadelphia. There are countless examples.
Including his rushing totals, Reed had 1,932 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns in his first two seasons.
With no Doubs or Wicks, the Packers' passing game will be far more concentrated. There are 131 vacated targets from last season now available. That's good news for Reed, who should see even more opportunities, having already become Love's go-to guy.
Even after signing an extension, it's surprising how little Reed is talked about. Kraft and Watson get the most attention, which is understandable, but the production points to Reed.
He led the Packers in receiving two years in a row before injuries derailed his 2025 season. It won't take long this fall for Reed to remind the world how talented he is.
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