Before Preseason Finale, Seven Packers Surprises
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers training camp is complete and the preseason will end today against the Baltimore Ravens.
Every training camp is filled with surprises. This one was no different. Here are seven with the Packers almost ready to turn the page to the Sept. 6 opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Good Packers Surprises
Got to Love Balanced Passing Attack
Last year, Jordan Love blew past the 4,000-yard threshold and finished seventh in passing yards even without a single individual getting within spitting distance of the receiver milepost of 1,000 yards. The first 100-yard game was produced by Bo Melton, who spent most of his season on the practice squad.
With Love entering a second season working with a young pass-catching corps, it would be only natural for Love to start playing favorites. Even if just a little.
None of that was seen during training camp, though. When putting together the All-Oneida Team, receiver was the most difficult position. Every dog has his day, as the saying goes. For the Packers, it’s every dawg has his day.
Romeo Doubs scored a bunch of touchdowns. Christian Watson provided the big plays. Jayden Reed was unstoppable in the slot. Dontayvion Wicks consistently produced. Bo Melton was superb to start training camp and Grant DuBose got hot down the stretch. And that’s not even getting to the tight ends.
“Those top four, I feel like every day in training camp one of them has just been like, ‘Whoa, they were dominant in one on ones, they were dominant in practice,’” passing-game coordinator Jason Vrable said of Doubs, Watson, Reed and Wicks.
“They’re all pushing one another, which is what I like. You look over your shoulder and if you have a bad day, the other guy is going to go and steal your spot that day. When you leave the practice field, you’ll be like, ‘He was the guy who was the best in the room that day.’”
So long as that continues – and there’s no reason to believe it won’t – Green Bay’s passing game could be lethal.
“That’s definitely a huge part of our offense,” Love said after throwing red-zone touchdowns to Doubs, Watson and tight end Tucker Kraft on Thursday.
“It goes back to who we have. We have a lot of weapons out there, a lot of different guys who can make those plays. For me, it makes life easy. I definitely love trying to spread the wealth down there and make sure everybody eats. Those guys do a great job just getting open and making those plays.”
Christian Watson and Eric Stokes
Cornerback Eric Stokes had an All-Rookie-caliber season as a first-round pick in 2021. Receiver Christian Watson was a breakout sensation during the second half of his rookie season in 2022.
