The Green Bay Packers’ offense has been inconsistent all year. The explosive potential seems there. Then they go one of five in the red zone and score 13 points against the Panthers. Now, with Tucker Kraft out for the season and just about everyone nursing some kind of injury, their systematic issues are compounded by limited personnel.
It won’t be this week – he hasn’t even started practicing – but Jayden Reed’s return is one thing for the Packers to look forward to. Having him back will help restore an essential element that went missing with the loss of Kraft.
Reed is Green Bay’s next best weapon for yards after the catch
Prior to tearing his ACL, Kraft compiled 344 yards after the catch, a figure that is still first on the team by a comfortable margin. In Matt LaFleur’s at times painfully conservative offense, YAC ability is the wild card that lends big play potential to an operation otherwise prone to stagnating.
Oct 12, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
Two-yard run. Dropped pass on a curl route short of the sticks. Blitz from the defense. Incompletion. The Packers can only convert so many third and longs.
Having a YAC monster like Kraft served two functions. One, it bailed out Green Bay in unfavorable down and distance scenarios, allowing high percentage, short-yardage throws that could still produce first downs. Two, gaining extra yards after the catch kept the Packers out of those unfavorable situations more often.
YAC is a fundamental pillar on LaFleur’s play calling relies. Against the Eagles, it was clear that LaFleur had not adjusted to the loss of Kraft and the need to adapt the offensive gameplan accordingly.
Reed isn’t a “monster” like Kraft, but he is an important source of yards after the catch. Last season Reed led Green Bay receivers with 380 such yards, almost as many as Kraft had (456). Working out of the slot, he gives Jordan Love a reliable target in the middle of the field, turning quick slants into 15-yard gains.
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed (4) tackles Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) during the second half at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Obviously Reed offers more than that. He led all Packers pass catchers with 15 plays of 20-plus yards last year. Without Christian Watson back and Matthew Golden in the mix, Love already has a pair of downfield threats. What the Packers really need in Kraft’s absence is a reliable producer at all levels of the field. Romeo Doubs has held down the fort as Love’s WR1, but he isn’t a YAC machine (110 yards, which accounts for 22% of his total receiving yardage).
Reed can be that guy. Assuming he can get back to full form, his return will restore a crucial element of balance to Green Bay’s passing game.
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