It seemed inevitable. The Green Bay Packers had drafted Matthew Golden and Savion Williams, and then handed Christian Watson a one-year extension. Not to mention they also have Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks under contract.
Romeo Doubs' days in Green Bay seemed numbered. If the team didn't find a trade partner before this season's deadline, they'd undoubtedly move on when his rookie contract expires next offseason.
Right? Not so fast. Matt LaFleur emphatically slammed the door shut on any trade speculation before the season began, and we're seeing why. Doubs is surprisingly playing himself into the Packers' long-term plans.
Romeo Doubs has become undeniable as Packers' WR1, and a new contract may follow
The Packers won't exactly have bags of cash to throw around in free agency. They made Micah Parsons the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, and they are paying top-of-the-market money to Jordan Love. Add in recent extensions for Watson and Zach Tom, and likely another soon for Quay Walker, and there's a lack of flexibility.
But Doubs has become undeniable.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported last week that the Packers "have shown no interest" in trading Doubs, which makes sense in a Super Bowl-or-bust season. And it may go a step further, as Fowler added that they had shown "more interest in potentially extending him."
However, Fowler warns that Doubs' price tag likely won't be cheap, and he could even enter free agency as the best wide receiver available.
The Packers may need to find a way. That's how important he has become to Jordan Love and this offense.
Matthew Golden has star potential. Christian Watson and Jayden Reed will return later this season. Dontayvion Wicks is still a breakout candidate and has shown significant improvements already this year. But that's a lot of ifs. Doubs is the real deal.
In the opening four games, Doubs has caught 13 passes for 179 yards, which might not initially sound too exciting. But of those 13 receptions, four went for touchdowns and 11 secured first downs.
Love spreads the ball around in this offense, but when he needs a play, the ball often travels toward No. 87. Doubs may never become the next Davante Adams or Jordy Nelson, but you can't put a price on his reliability. Doubs is incredibly underrated, and Love clearly trusts him.
The Packers have already invested heavily at wide receiver, and the room will only get more crowded when Reed and Watson return. But make no mistake about it. If no other receiver can step into a true WR1 role and Doubs remains Love's go-to target, it may become impossible for the Packers to let him go.