The Green Bay Packers do not have very much experience in their wide receiver room. In fact, no one in that room has played a full NFL season yet. Both Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson missed time last season with various injuries.
Due to the lack of experience, many have suggested that the Packers sign a veteran wide receiver, namely Jarvis Landry. That, however, not happen and suggestions that they might are a blatant disregard to what Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst have already stated. It also would be a terrible signing for multiple reasons.
Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst Have Already Said the Green Bay Packers Are Rolling with Who They Have
While it is true that, at the NFL Owners Meetings, Matt LaFleur stated he wanted a veteran wide receiver, he has since changed his tune. When speaking to the media ahead of rookie mini camp following the 2023 NFL Draft, he clearly indicated that he no longer believes the team will or should look to sign a veteran at the position.
Also following the draft, Gutekunst also said he would not be attempting to sign any veteran free agent wide receivers. He wants the young wide receivers and the young quarterback to grow together.
Signing Jarvis Landry Would Be a Waste of Money
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Whoever Landry plays for in 2023 will be his third team in the last three years. After seven very strong seasons to start his career, including five Pro Bowls, the slot specialist just cannot stay on the field.
Last season, he played on a one-year $3 million deal with the New Orleans Saints. He appeared in just nine games, catching 25 passes for 272 yards and one touchdown.
Wherever Landry signs, it will be for a bargain because he has not played a full season in two years. However, Green Bay has precious little salary cap space and has some big decisions to make regarding contract extensions in the near future.
When Healthy, Jarvis Landry Would Take Valuable Snaps Away from Green Bay Packers Wide Receivers
If the Packers were to sign Landry, one or more of the Packers’ first or second year wide receivers would lose valuable playing time. And, to be frank, Landry isn’t good enough to warrant taking away possible playing time.
Last season, Landry had an overall PFF grade of 67.3 and a receiving grade of 66.5. By comparison, here are some of the Packers’ wide receivers’ PFF grades in the those same two categories:
- Christian Watson: 77.1/77.8
- Romeo Doubs: 62.6/62.0
- Jayden Reed (college): 70.4/71.2
As one can see,, Landry did not grade as well as rookie Christian Watson last season, and will probably get overtaken by Doubs and Reed this year.
Look, the Packers are going to keep their three wide receivers from last year’s draft: Watson, Doubs, and Samori Toure, and at least two from this year’s draft, likely Reed and Dontayvion Wicks. That’s a total of five wide receivers. There is no guarantee that the team will take more than that. And if they do, they will need to play special teams.
Something tells me Landry isn’t going to be up for special teams duty at this point in his career.
It would just be a bad fit for both parties.
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