Paul Bretl | 3/12/2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. — A catalyst behind improved play from the Packers’ wide receiver position in 2025 is going to have to be competition.
With Davante Adams in LA, DK Metcalf now in Pittsburgh, and Tee Higgins seemingly staying in Cincinnati, when it comes to adding a true No. 1 wide receiver target to the Packers’ offense, those options are now off the table. And even looking ahead to this year’s draft, I’m not sure that top-flight player exists in this year’s class–or at least not where the Packers are picking.
So how are the Packers going to get improved play out of the receiver position this season, other than just hoping and banking on internal development happening on its own?
Competition. The same element that helped foster the rapid growth we saw throughout the roster during the second half of the 2023 season.
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After the 2024 season, GM Brian Gutekunst mentioned that it’s time the Packers started competing for championships and a key factor in accomplishing that is a greater sense of urgency throughout the roster. When Gutekunst said that, he was referring to the entire team, but it does also seem to particularly apply to the receiver position–a group with plenty of talent, but also a unit that failed to take a step forward last season.
“We’ve got a bunch of good guys in that locker room, we’ve got a bunch of talented guys in that locker room, and I think it’s time we started competing for championships,” Gutekunst said after the season. “I think they’re ready. Like I said, I think they are wired right. I think that group is the kind of guys that can do that. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to go do it.
“We fell short in some areas this year, like they always are every year, a little frustrating. But at the same time, I didn’t think the blinked. So I’m excited about the group, but the sense of urgency, not getting complacent, some of these guys have now proven themselves to be NFL football players and have attained that, but what’s out there for us as a team that we’re willing to commit to and sacrifice for. If I’m looking at one thing, that would be it.”
A disjointed passing game was too much to overcome down the stretch last season, and while no one player or position group is at fault–it’s on everyone–dropped passes and a lack of detailed route running were a part of the problem, and those were issues that the Packers had to navigate for much of the season.
In the Packers’ playoff loss to Philadelphia specifically, Matt LaFleur noted that two of the interceptions thrown by Jordan Love were on plays where the receivers weren’t positioned correctly. On the interception by Darius Slay, the receiver needed to do a better job of stacking the defender to help create a more open throwing window. On the interception over the middle by linebacker Zach Baun, the receiver was supposed to break in at 20 yards from the line of scrimmage but instead did so at 15 yards, throwing off the entire play design.
Adding more talent to the wide receiver room, even if it isn’t a true No. 1 target, can help elevate that sense of urgency. Whether it be a veteran signing, an early-round draft pick, or both, all of a sudden, playing time is in jeopardy and even roster spots for some players, which can very quickly change the complexion of the room and the day-to-day processes as players fight to establish themselves within the receiver hierarchy.
“I think we’re certainly looking for these guys that we have currently to take a step into that role where they are more consistent on the down-down basis,” Gutekunst said after the season. “Certainly, if there’s somebody outside of our building, whether it’s the draft, free agency, that makes some sense for us, we’ll certainly look to do that, but we’re also looking for these guys to continue to grow and hopefully grow into that space.”
What’s left of the free-agent market at receiver are several productive but veteran players, including Amari Cooper, Tyler Lockett, and Keenan Allen, to name a few. Some early-round options at wide receiver in the draft include Tetairoa McMillan and Matthew Golden–both of whom could be gone before the Packers are on the clock–along with Emeka Egbuka, Jaydin Higgins, and Elic Ayomanor.
This adding competition plan to raise the level of play of the receiver room is far from a fool-proof plan. The sure thing would have been finding a way to add one of those top three receiver options mentioned at the start of all this. However, outside of keeping the status quo, this is the Packers’ best option at this time when it comes to elevating the receiver room.
Gutekunst acknowledged that having a top target would be beneficial. However, he believes there are a few players already on the roster who are capable of filling that role. But after this group of receivers failed to take a step forward in 2024, it would appear that some outside help is going to be needed to facilitate someone potentially moving into that coveted role.
“You’d like to have somebody move into that space,” Gutekunst said of having a No. 1 receiver, “but, at the same time, I’d like multiple guys to be able to move into that space. What I’m looking for is guys that, when they’re called upon, can perform at a high level. I think we have a lot of guys that have done that.”