Green Bay Packers: 3 Training Camp Predictions
By Paul Bretl
Packers Keep 5 WRs
Under Matt LaFleur, the days of this Green Bay Packers’ offense having four and five receivers on the field consistency are long gone. Sure, we may still see it here and there, but it won’t be the norm.
Instead, as we saw last season, there will be more two and three receiver sets. According to Sharp Football, we saw the Packers use less 11 personnel (one RB, one TE) in 2019, and more 12, 21, and 22 (two RBs, two TEs) personnel, which means fewer receivers on the field. And as this offense becomes more of what LaFleur envisions in Year 2, that trend will continue.
As LaFleur puts it, he wants to achieve the “illusion of complexity,” and one way that he achieves that is by running various plays from different formations, but with the same personnel, giving this offense that unpredictability.
Running backs and tight ends now play a much more significant role in the passing game, and the need for four or five receivers on the field just isn’t there.
So while the Packers may only have five true receivers on the roster in this scenario, in the LaFleur offense, Aaron Rodgers will still have plenty of pass-catchers at his disposal when you factor in the tight end and running back positions. I counted 13 pass-catchers between the receivers, running backs, and tight ends who will see playing time in 2020
For teams that utilize four or five receivers on the field often, then yes, rostering six or even seven receivers is necessary. But in Green Bay, where two and three receiver sets are going to be common, and when you take into consideration all the other pass-catching options that they have, five receivers is plenty.