Handing out Green Bay Packers 2023 regular season awards
The Green Bay Packers' first regular season with Jordan Love at quarterback wraps up with the team finishing 9-8, clinching a wild-card matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.
No matter how the playoffs go for the Packers, it's hard to argue that the season was anything short of a tremendous success. Only a few months ago, when the Packers sat at 2-5, the talk among fans and most outlets was, "Which quarterback will the Packers take with their likely top-5 draft pick?"
Flash forward to a Week 18 victory over the Chicago Bears, where the Packers effortlessly moved the ball on offense all night against a hot Bears defense, and the talk is, "How big will Jordan Love's extension be?"
In their first year removed from future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers under center and losing eight starters, the Packers became the youngest offense to make the playoffs since the NFL's inaugural 16-game season in 1978. In the process, head coach Matt LaFleur all but secured extension discussions for his outstanding job, turning uncertainty and growing pains into a booming success.
With almost the entire offense being first- or second-year players and numerous rookies unexpectedly playing impactful roles throughout the season, the Packers' future looks tremendous.
Despite being one of the top offensive units in football across the last eight games, allowing the third-fewest sacks (30), not a single Packers player was considered for the Pro Bowl. However, many are worthy of recognition for their performances this season. Here are the Packers that stood out most this year and should be properly recognized.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jayden Reed
This season, the second-round wide receiver out of Michigan State displayed what is undoubtedly the most impactful rookie wide receiver season in team history.
At no point this season were there doubts about Jayden Reed's talent and game-breaking abilities. He displayed his dynamic skillset weekly, turning in more catches (64) and yards (793) than Packers great Sterling Sharpe, who previously held the rookie record for catches (55). Reed's eight receiving touchdowns are also the most for a Packers rookie since team Hall of Famer Max McGee posted nine in 1954.
Reed hangs up his first regular season, leading the Packers in receptions (64), yards (793), yards after catch (335), and tied for most touchdowns (8). Add in his two rushing scores, and his total of 10 touchdowns led all skill players on the team.
There's no question Reed is set up to be a top-featured player in the Packers offense for years to come. By all accounts, his rookie season was one of the best in team history, and he's a dynamic playmaker whose ceiling is nowhere in sight heading into year two.