The Green Bay Packers spread the ball around and don't rely on one pass-catcher to carry the offense. This balanced approach is smart and effective, as it allows the Packers to win in different ways while preventing a defense from shutting down the focal point of the passing game.
However, there comes a point where you just need to get the ball in the hands of your playmakers.
Jayden Reed is a star. Good things happen when he has the ball. The second-year receiver offers so much to the Packers' offense, from yards after the catch to making explosive plays in the run game and winning contested catches. He can do it all.
Yet, for an unclear reason, the Packers have failed to feature Reed in recent weeks, even with Romeo Doubs out of the lineup. In last week's heartbreaking loss to the Detroit Lions, Reed has zero receptions or rushing attempts and only one target.
Reed's opportunities have decreased since Green Bay returned from its bye week, and it's a problem Matt LaFleur must fix for this offense to reach its potential.
Jayden Reed's decreasing opportunities make no sense for Packers
Since the Packers' bye week, Reed ranks third among receivers in snap counts. Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks have more, while Doubs has missed two games due to a concussion. Still, Reed's total is closer to Doubs' (who has played two fewer games) than to Watson's.
Packers wide receiver snap counts since Week 11
Player | Snaps |
|---|---|
Christian Watson | 175 |
Dontayvion Wicks | 131 |
Jayden Reed | 123 |
Romeo Doubs | 73 |
Per PFF, Reed has only run a route on 65 snaps and has been targeted just 12 times since the bye. He has still been productive, catching eight of those targets for 73 yards and three touchdowns. Yes, Reed has found the end zone three times despite only making eight catches.
It proves the point. Get him the ball.
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It's a concerning trend. Since the Packers' bye, Reed has seen a clear decline in targets and snap counts per game.
Jayden Reed | Avg. Targets | Avg. Snaps |
|---|---|---|
Before bye | 5.2 | 43.8 |
After bye | 3 | 30.8 |
Reed is a difference-maker. In the opening six games of the season, he caught 27 passes and rushed nine times for 552 total yards and four touchdowns. In seven games since then, he has just 17 receptions and four carries for 269 total yards and three scores.
Yes, the Packers also want to feature Watson, as they should. Wicks also played his best game of the season against the Lions and continues to make gaining separation look easy. They both need targets. Doubs' imminent return will also lead to fewer targets for the other receivers.
But Reed is far too talented to average three targets per game and play a reduced number of snaps.
The Packers have continued to score points, averaging 29.8 per game since returning from their bye, but their offense stalled in the first half against Detroit. An explosive play or two from Reed could've helped the unit find its rhythm far quicker.
LaFleur has plenty to think about, from Josh Jacobs playing a featured role to getting targets to the Packers' playmakers. But for as important as Wicks, Doubs, and Tucker Kraft are, Green Bay's offense has to feature Reed. Good things happen when the ball finds No. 11.