A quiet Week 1 for Packers veteran WRs Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins

With the Green Bay Packers without Allen Lazard in Minnesota, this offense was going to need someone else to take charge at the wide receiver position.

For much of the summer, quarterback Aaron Rodgers mentioned how he preferred “production over potential” and that the Packers’ top-three wide receivers — at least to begin the season — were going to be the experienced pass-catchers in Lazard, Sammy Watkins, and Randall Cobb.

Trust, as we all know, is a key element for Rodgers and his pass-catchers. To some degree, that is going to have to be put aside trying to get Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson more involved. But it’s also a big reason why Cobb and Watkins are expected to play such key roles.

Cobb has provided Rodgers with a go-to option in key situations over the years and was specifically utilized on third downs often in 2021. Watkins, meanwhile, provides an experienced boundary target who can still stretch the field, averaging almost 15 yards per catch last season.

Following training camp, Rodgers would tell reporters how well both Watkins and Cobb had been performing in practice during those final few weeks. Unfortunately, it was a very quiet Week 1 for both Watkins and Cobb, which didn’t help at all a struggling Packers offense.

As Zach Kruse of Packers Wire would point out following Sunday’s game, Watkins and Cobb combined for 55 routes against the Vikings but totaled only 32 yards. Watkins caught all of his three targets for 18 yards, which averages out to only 6.0 yards per catch, while Cobb caught two of three passes for 14 yards, or 7.0 yards per catch per PFF ($$).

There were several issues that led to this Packers’ offense being ineffective against Minnesota, one of which included Rodgers looking quite hesitant at times in the pocket. This was likely a product of poor offensive line play and not fully trusting his receivers, or they weren’t getting open.

It’s in these high leverage situations, such as on third or fourth downs and in the red zone, or when under duress, that one would expect the trust and rapport that Rodgers has built with Cobb and Watkins would be on display. However, that wasn’t the case.

Until we see the All-22, it will be difficult to know what the exact reasons for this were. As already mentioned, were neither Cobb nor Watkins getting open? And if that is the case, why wasn’t there more of an effort on LaFleur’s part to put them in motion or find ways to get them in space quickly?

Or perhaps there were more chances for Watkins and Cobb, but Rodgers, who once out of rhythm can hold on to the ball for too long, passed those opportunities up.

As of now, we do not know what Lazard’s status for Sunday’s game against Chicago is going to be, but this offense very much needs him back. If he can’t go, improved play begins with Rodgers and LaFleur, as I discussed in an article following the game, but the rookies will have to be more consistent as well, the offensive line will have to be better, and Watkins and Cobb will have to have some sort of impact.