Something has got to give. The Green Bay Packers' wide receiver room is becoming rather fractured.
Let's review. Romeo Doubs landed a team suspension last season due to reportedly having frustrations over his role.
Josh Jacobs smartly said the team needed to add a wide receiver this offseason, but his comments didn't sit well with Dontayvion Wicks. The Packers granted Jacobs' wish by adding two receivers in the opening three rounds, but the awkward fallout from those moves has all but sealed Doubs' fate.
The Packers have created a new problem. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke to Jayden Reed's agent to "clarify" his role on the team. Schefter notes that the Packers remain committed to Reed as their "top receiver."
The Packers probably didn't want that information to become public, but here we are.
They've reassured Reed, while draftees Matthew Golden and Savion Williams will presumably earn plenty of snaps as rookies. Wicks remains a key contributor, and Christian Watson will likely return at some point this season. Don't forget about the tight ends, either.
The biggest loser in this situation? Doubs.
Packers' commitment to Jayden Reed all but seals Romeo Doubs' fate
It doesn't matter who leaked the story about Gutekunst's conversation with Reed's agent. Even if unintended, they've sent a loud and clear message about Doubs' long-term future with the team.
He is entering a contract year, but there's understandable uncertainty over his role on the team this season. It's not wild to wonder if Doubs has played his final snap for the Packers.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated is thinking along the same lines. He dropped some interesting notes in his latest column. He served up the possibility of a trade and then slammed home a potential destination.
"The Packers picked the fastest receiver in the draft, Matthew Golden, and early returns from Green Bay say the rookie's overall athleticism has already shown up," writes Breer. "It'll be interesting to see whether a veteran receiver shakes free in a trade based on Golden's development."
Breer didn't initially mention which veteran they could move, but he dropped a hint in the very next paragraph.
"With Pickens gone from Pittsburgh, it's worth mentioning that Aaron Rodgers used to speak very highly of Romeo Doubs's football IQ and route-running ability," said Breer. "If Rodgers is there, it might be worth the Steelers calling the Packers to try to bring in a familiar face for the quarterback."
And we agree. Doubs to the Steelers makes so much sense.
There's no denying his talent and ability to help this Packers offense, but the wide receiver room has become awfully crowded. Golden will land a featured role, and the team smartly isn't shifting away from Reed.
Where does it leave Doubs? His frustrations won't exactly ease by getting fewer opportunities. The Packers should pick up the phone and listen to offers while they can still recoup some draft capital.
Doubs has a year left on his contract, but a trade feels more inevitable than ever. If it hadn't become apparent already, Gutekunst's not-so-quiet word with Reed's agent almost seals the deal.