Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is counting on the young wide receiver corps of his new team to push themselves in the league following the departure of their long-time quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers offense is going to witness a significant change with the younger starting quarterback Jordan Love taking over four-time MVP Rodgers‘ position this year alongside the inclusion of six new wide receivers in the past two drafts.
Packers’ HC holds high hopes for the new members in the post-Aaron Rodgers era
The Packers head coach Matt LaFleur opened up to the reporters following the second day of rookie minicamp on Saturday about their young squad taking over the leadership roles in their second NFL season and had a special mention for Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Samori Toure.
“I think they kind of do that naturally. Especially, Rome just got back here this week. Christian has been around the first couple weeks (of the Packers’ offseason program). It’s fun to watch the jump that a lot of these guys make from Year 1 to Year 2 in terms of just how they mature as men. So they are going to be two of the guys that we’re going to be leaning on, especially in that room. I think Samori is another one who knows the standards and expectations in that position room”, he said.
LaFleur later gushed about Romeo, Christian, and Samori saying these three young players have already set the standards to lean on them for a major leadership role.
“I’ve said it prior to this, in terms of what the guys who had been here before kind of set those standards and expectations. All three of those guys are really smart dudes, and they understand what it takes. They’re going to have to take on a larger leadership role whether they care to or not”, he added.
Besides Romeo, Christian, and Samori, Green Bay General Manager Brian Gutekunst added three more wide receivers this year: second-round pick Jayden Reed, fifth-round pick Dontayvion Wicks, and seventh-round pick Grant DuBose as well as signed Malik Heath and Duece Watts following the draft and also had Bo Melton in their squad.
The Packers HC has nothing but praise for his young athletes and is excited to see how they develop this offseason.
“I think time will tell, but it’s certainly a very talented room. It’s going to be a hell of a competition in terms of who’s getting the snaps, because just at first glimpse at some of these young guys that just were in here, there are some talented guys”, LaFleur further added.
Fans can have concerns over the young players’ leadership deficiency, however, Matt assured that they would consider picking veteran leaders if they find the young group in need of someone with more leadership.
“If need be, I think we would turn that way, but right now I think we’re just going to let those guys compete,” the head coach stated.
It remains to be seen how the Packers will fare without Rodgers, albeit LaFleur’s confidence in the team’s young receivers looks like a positive sign for their future. Whether or not they can live up to the HC’s expectations will be revealed with time, however, one thing can be expected: the competition for playing time is likely going to be intense.
