The Green Bay Packers were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL in 2023, especially in the second half of the season. After starting out 2-5, Jordan Love and his young group of pass catchers suddenly got on the same page. The result was a 7-3 record in their final 10 games, a playoff win against Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys on Wild Card Weekend, and another heartbreaking loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.
Along the way, Love put together the best first season as a starting quarterback in franchise history. Jayden Reed broke Sterling Sharpe’s franchise record for receptions by a rookie and both rookie tight ends threatened to break Bubba Franks’ team records for catches and yards by a rookie tight end.
In other words, the Packers’ wide receivers were a lot better than people thought they would be. However, there was one piece missing from the passing game for most of the year.
The Green Bay Packers Were Missing a Wide Receiver One
Going into the 2023 season, the expectation was that Christian Watson would be Green Bay’s number one wide receiver. Unfortunately, he missed the first several games with a hamstring injury, took a few weeks to get up to speed with the rest of the offense, and then hurt his hamstring again just as he was hitting his stride.
All told, Watson had 28 receptions for 422 yards and five touchdowns in just nine games. A huge portion of that production came in the final four games in which he played. On Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions, a week before he got injured again, Watson had five receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. Against the Kansas City Chiefs, the night he got hurt, he had seven receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns.
It is no wonder the Packers won those two games, games that they were not supposed to win according to betting odds. That is the impact Watson has when he is healthy. He is a game-breaking wide receiver that could end up being the next greatest pass catcher in franchise history if he can avoid anymore injuries.
The Green Bay Packers Get 2nd-Best Odds to Sign Free Agent Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs
Watson and Packers cornerback Eric Stokes are both working with soft tissue specialists this offseason to figure out why they both have frequent and severe hamstring issues. The hope, of course, is that both players will be able to play the whole 2024 season without getting hurt.
But football is a violent sport. Even if Watson’s hamstrings stay healthy, no one knows why a big hit can trigger another injury. And this is not just true for Watson, but rather it is true for everyone in the Packers wide receiver room. They were fortunate late last season that a different wide receiver stepped up each week to carry the load. It went a long way to prove that they are a deep and talented group.
Despite all of these things, though, no one has stepped up yet to claim the wide receiver one role for themselves. That is why many believe the Packers may attempt to sign free agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Currently, BetOnline gives the Packers the second best odds (+400) to sign the four-time Pro Bowler if he does indeed leave Buffalo.
When communicating with Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated, sportsbook manager Adam Burns said:
“While the Packers appear to have some young, talented receivers, they don’t have that veteran presence anywhere within their receiving corps (tight ends included).
“Jordan Love needs that go-to, possession-type receiver who can be counted on to convert those critical third-down opportunities, and we know Stefon Diggs can fill that role on any team.”
While it is true that Diggs would be a fine addition to any team, it is probably not going to be the Packers who pull the trigger on signing him. They committed to a youth movement last year and kept very few players over the age of 30. As they enter the second season of the Jordan Love Era, it is hard to see them adding older players to the roster who will take snaps away from their young core of Watson, Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks.
Sure is fun to think about, though.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!