The Green Bay Packers are one of the oldest and most storied franchises in the history of sports. It is not often when players come around that put up “franchise firsts,” especially in their rookie season or first year having a major role on the team. Despite the long history and long list of Hall of Fame players that have donned the uniform, the 2023 Packers team saw several players do things that no other Green Bay player had done before.
For example, Jordan Love smashed records for quarterbacks in their first year starting with the Packers. Not only was his the best season for a first-year starter in Packers’ history, but it was also the third-best season for a first-year starter in the entire history of the NFL.
After seemingly neglecting the tight end position for years (at least, for use as a primary weapon in the passing game), the Packers drafted two tight ends that also made NFL history. Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft became just the second pair of rookie tight ends to each have at least 300 yards receiving in their first season. The first pair was Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez of the New England Patriots.
And then there were the rookie wide receivers. Dontayvion Wicks and Jayden Reed each had extraordinary seasons, far exceeding whatever expectations were had of them before the season began. Wicks finished the year with 39 receptions for 581 yards and four touchdowns. A fine rookie campaign indeed, but what Reed did was something special.
Jayden Reed Had 1 of the Best Rookie Seasons in Green Bay Packers’ History
Reed, the Packers’ second pick in round two of the 2023 NFL Draft (50th overall) from Michigan State started out the season as the team’s third wide receiver on the depth chart. Due to injuries to Christian Watson, Reed was thrust into a position in which he received more targets and a bigger role in the passing game than he otherwise might have.
While it took a while for the offense to find its footing, Love and Reed seemed to connect more often than not throughout the season. From Week 10 on, Reed never had less than four catches per game, culminating in his four-catch, 112 yard performance against the Chicago Bears in Week 18 to seal a wildcard spot for Green Bay.
Reed ended the season with 64 catches for 793 yards and eight touchdowns. His 64 receptions broke Sterling Sharpe’s rookie record of 55 which he set back in 1988. Additionally, Reed had 119 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Reed became the first rookie to lead the Packers in both receptions and yards since Sharpe. He surpassed Sharpe’s numbers in both categories and scored more touchdowns than him.
In terms of the best season for a Packers rookie wide receiver, there are now just four real players in the discussion, with Billy Howton having the obvious best season among them:
| Wide Receiver | Year | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
| Billy Howton | 1952 | 53 | 1,231 | 13 |
| James Lofton | 1978 | 46 | 818 | 6 |
| Sterling Sharpe | 1988 | 55 | 791 | 1 |
| Jayden Reed | 2023 | 64 | 793 | 8 |
The Packers’ history of picking great wide receivers in the second round of the NFL Draft, such as Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, and Davante Adams, is talked about often. That being said, based on his rookie season, Reed may be the best of them all.
