Josh Jacobs wants the Green Bay Packers to bolster their passing attack this offseason.
On 97.3 The Game in Milwaukee, Jacobs said Green Bay “needs a guy who has already proven to be a No. 1.”
“We’ve got a really young group of receivers,” he continued. “They all have the potential to be special. But personally, I think we need a proven No. 1 receiver – someone we know will be more consistent.”
Jacobs’ comments went viral, and Dontayvion Wicks quickly disagreed.
Jayden Reed backed Wicks, tweeting that it was “crazy” how Packers fans were bashing their own players. However, he later deleted the post.
Jacobs is right: Jordan Love needs a proven No. 1 receiver.
Look at how Justin Jefferson has helped Sam Darnold. How Terry McLaurin has elevated Jayden Daniels. What A.J. Brown has done for Jalen Hurts, and how Amon-Ra St. Brown has supported Jared Goff.
Green Bay’s receivers struggled with separation against man coverage — and with catching the ball. While having a diverse receiving corps is valuable, the Packers need an established weapon to ease the pressure on their young wideouts.
Still, it’s great that Wicks and Reed took issue with Jacobs’ remarks. How can they solve that? By fixing their issues. Go out there, get open, catch the ball when your number is called, and prove Jacobs wrong. His comments added fuel to the fire, and I hope everyone in the room uses them as motivation.
Jacobs stated that all of Green Bay’s receivers have the potential to be special, and anyone who has followed the Packers over the past two seasons would agree. He meant no disrespect when discussing the need for an established receiver because it benefits the team. The Packers are the most successful organization in football for a reason, and there’s no room for egos to take priority over the team’s success.
This isn’t about personal feelings and doesn’t have to turn into a conflict. Looking at the situation, it’s clear the Packers need a proven WR1. While it’s tempting to hope the current players will develop, hope alone doesn’t drive success.
Whether or not Green Bay brings in an established receiver, they are counting on Reed and Wicks to develop. Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson are entering the final year of their rookie deals, and the Packers may not extend them. Watson tore his ACL in Week 18 against the Chicago Bears and won’t return until December, which should delay his contract negotiations.
Doubs suffered multiple concussions last season, and the Packers suspended him for conduct detrimental to the team last year. Neither player is a lock for a contract extension, and Wicks and Reed’s development could influence Green Bay’s decision.
There’s no reason to worry that this disagreement between Jacobs, Reed, and Wicks will spark a locker-room conflict. These players come from different backgrounds and perspectives and naturally have differing opinions on certain topics. The WR1 conversation just happens to be one of them.
Green Bay will be locked in for a championship run in 2025, and these players will find a way to move past this in a professional and healthy way. The feelings of all parties should matter, but the reality is the Packers need an established weapon. The players must set their egos aside so the team can prioritize improvement in the offseason.
