Jayden Reed stepping into leadership role in Packers WR room

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed has turned into Jordan Love‘s favorite target out wide in the last couple of seasons, leading the team in receiving yards during that stretch. Poised for a breakout 2025, Reed drew some high praise from his coaching staff for what he’s been able to bring the Packers this offseason.

Packers wide receivers coach Ryan Mahaffey has seen Reed step into more of a leadership role in the receiving room during the offseason despite only being in the NFL for two seasons. His efforts on and off the field appear to be paying off, and they aren’t going unnoticed, either.

“Jayden’s been amazing out there,” Mahaffey said, via Packer.com. “Just even yesterday, there was a clip where he’s back there talking and having conversations with Matthew Golden. He’s out there pouring into the rest of the guys on the team. He’s bringing great energy out on the field. He’s a real joy to be around each and every single day. He works hard. He cares about his teammates.

“He wants to see other people do well. It’s been fun to see Jayden, as he’s continued to grow, being able to expand his leadership skills and pour into others.”

Golden was drafted in the first round by the Green Bay Packers during last month’s 2025 NFL Draft. It marked the first time the franchise drafted a player at the position in over two decades, which means the Packers have already put a ton of faith in Golden’s abilities.

Pairing Reed and Golden together out wide, and the Packers feel pretty strong about their options out wide. Couple that with TE Tucker Kraft, as well as fellow wideouts Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs also being in the lineup — Jordan Love has no shortage of weapons in his arsenal.

Love and Reed have made for a strong pairing since he arrived in Green Bay in 2023. Reed has led the team in receiving yards in both of those seasons, totaling 119 receptions for 1,650 yards and 14 touchdowns. He bumped his average from 12.4 yards per catch as a rookie to 15.6 per catch in 2024.

Reed’s coaches expect him to continue to improve in 2025. He has reportedly put on over 10 pounds of muscle on top of showing off his leadership skills on the field and in the locker room. He enters the season seeking his first 1,000-yard season in the NFL, and all signs point toward him closing in on that goal this year.