The Green Bay Packers will undoubtedly be a younger team in 2023 with so many established veterans departing the team this past offseason. Aaron Rodgers, Adrian Amos, Randall Cobb, Marcedes Lewis, Dean Lowry, and Mason Crosby are among the more experienced players who are not returning in the fall. But while the Packers will also be a faster team at least on paper and that has some returning players excited.
In an interview that aired Monday on the NFL Network, Packers offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins expressed how impressed he was with the speed of two Packers rookies who are expected to play a significant role in the offense this season.
“Man, I was looking at Luke Musgrave and Jayden Reed a lot. Our weapons, man, they got some serious speed, Jayden, and Luke,” Jenkins said. “Just being able to see them out there running and getting vertical up the field, running routes and stuff like that, it really put a smile on my face. I’m ready to see what’s in store for those guys. I feel like the future’s bright for those guys. … Luke Musgrave and Jayden Reed, I’ve got a lot of high expectations for those guys in Year one, for sure.”
The Packers Offense Has Athletes All Over the Field
The Green Bay Packers offense should have more speed at wide receiver and tight end. Allen Lazard had solid hands and was a great blocker but had only average speed for an NFL wideout. Cobb had lost some speed due to age and injuries.
When you add Reed, who was timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.45 prior to the draft, should give the Packers more speed at the receiver position. If he lines up as the slot receiver as expected, that means more speed in the middle of the field.
Like Reed, Musgrave was added in the second round of this year’s draft by GM Brian Gutekunst. The former Oregon State star was timed at 4.61 in the 40-yard dash which is impressive for a 6’6”, 253-pound tight end. He and third round pick Tucker Kraft should make the Packers much bigger and more athletic at the tight end position in 2023.
When you add Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs who are both hoping to make second year jumps this year and to stay healthy and the Packers should be a lot faster at receiver and tight end this season.
Final Thoughts on the Green Bay Packers Speed on Offense
Jordan Love should be able to take full advantage of this newfound speed. In the past few seasons, Rodgers was reluctant to use the middle of the field. Love seems more likely to utilize the spot between the hash marks more often and head coach Matt LaFleur’s playbook should reflect that change. That can create more opportunities for these young receivers and tight ends.
Of course, speed is only one factor in creating a dangerous offense. It may take time for these inexperienced receivers to get comfortable playing in the NFL and adjusting to the Packers offense. But if they do, the potential is there to give the Green Bay offense a new dimension that it lacked a year ago and that has Jenkins and the Packers coaching staff excited.
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